'Winter is coming': Ukraine fears its toughest test since Russia's full-scale invasion
Russian forces have ramped up the number of missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, likely seeking to exploit Kyiv's shortage of ballistic missile interceptors.
Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and national security experts, are preparing for the country's most challenging winter since the full-scale Russian invasion. Zelenskyy has emphasized the importance of ensuring energy and infrastructure facilities remain operational and protected for the upcoming heating season.
The Ukrainian president recently appointed Sergii Koretskyi, a former CEO of state-owned gas company Naftogaz, as prime minister to help safeguard lives and ensure the nation endures the winter. As Russian forces have intensified missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, Ukraine's enhanced drone capabilities have aimed to raise the cost for Russia and test President Vladimir Putin's resolve after four-and-a-half years of conflict.
Fire Point CEO Iryna Terekh warns Ukraine must be realistic about the threat it faces and acknowledges the country's acute shortage of air defense systems. Terekh notes that the current winter could be no easier, if not harder, compared to the last one. The U.S. has yet to decide on providing Ukraine with Patriot surface-to-air interceptor missiles, a key demand for Kyiv.
Ukraine is bolstering its defense of energy infrastructure, building reserves, and seeking additional funding from European partners, including the European Union's 90 billion euro financial support package. Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker believes that while Putin will continue fighting through the winter, his ability to do so is becoming increasingly limited, and he may be forced to seek a ceasefire by spring.
Written by urgent.news from CNBC World's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
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