Kyiv aware of Russian plans for winter air strike campaign, minister says
Ukraine had received two documents detailing Russia’s preparations for winter strikes on the country’s energy infrastructure, Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Sept. 24.
Ukraine's Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal revealed on September 24 that Kyiv had been informed of Russia's plans for a winter air strike campaign targeting the nation's energy infrastructure. According to Shmyhal, two documents were obtained from Russian intelligence, outlining the specifics of Russia's strategy to destroy energy facilities, which included targets such as heat and water supplies, wastewater systems, power-generation facilities, and grid interconnectors.
The minister emphasized the cold and precise nature of the Russian plans, which had shocked both Ukrainian partners and the government alike. Russia's preparations encompassed a wide range of weapons, including ballistic missiles, jet-powered, and conventional drones. Shmyhal also disclosed that Russia planned to target major cities, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa, as well as others with populations exceeding 500,000.
In response, Ukraine has taken measures to fortify its energy system, including the construction of over 200 concrete structures to safeguard priority targets and the installation of anti-blast screens and nets to protect against small strike drones. Despite these precautions, Shmyhal noted that complete protection of the entire energy system is unfeasible, acknowledging that even a 10% penetration of air defenses is a significant threat.
However, he expressed confidence in Ukraine's ability to withstand the coming winter and respond to any Russian attacks, stating that Ukraine's deep strikes would continue in the event of enemy aggression.
Written by urgent.news from New Voice of Ukraine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
