Ukraine's intelligence chief explains why Russia's terror strategy runs out in February
Photo: Head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov (rbc.ua)
Russia hopes that the threat of destroying Ukraine's energy system will force Kyiv into negotiations on Moscow's terms. However, this leverage is limited in time, which is why the Kremlin is rushing out its proposals, stated Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine.
Budanov explained that Russia conducted extensive studies before adopting a tactic based on mass terrorist attacks against energy infrastructure. Russia, he said, reached a generally correct conclusion: the threat of destroying Ukraine's energy system is frightening.
"The very threat that they will destroy our energy system before the winter season will have maximum impact — first on Ukrainian society, and second on our Western partners. This is an issue that scares everyone. Everyone, for different reasons, but unified by fear," Budanov noted.
However, he emphasized that this influence factor is strictly limited in time, until the end of February. Therefore, Russia reached its next conclusion: attacks on Ukraine's energy system and the threat of its destruction can strengthen the Kremlin's position, but only briefly.
"And since this factor is limited in time, they need to come forward with any proposals before this period ends. So we hold on. We will get through this," he concluded.
Earlier, Budanov said that the window of opportunity to end the war in Ukraine will open only in February 2026. He also stressed that without help from US President Donald Trump, ending the war will be impossible.
Meanwhile, Ukraine currently has hourly power outage schedules in place, as Russian missile and drone attacks have damaged a large number of energy facilities. On the night of November 19 alone, Russia launched 48 missiles and 470 drones of various types at Ukraine.
