The New York Times obtains a purported Russian plan to cripple Ukraine’s power grid, including by cutting electricity and heat supplies to three major cities by 90%

The New York Times has obtained a purported Russian plan to cripple Ukraine's power grid, potentially cutting electricity and heat supplies to major cities by 90%. Ukrainian authorities received the document from the Russian Defense Ministry, which details a three-stage campaign involving missiles, guided aerial bombs, and drones.

The first stage targets substations along Ukraine's western border, the second focuses on hydroelectric power plants, and the third strikes substations supplying electricity to Ukraine's nuclear power plants. Russia aims to eliminate nearly 15 gigawatts of generating capacity, enough to meet peak demand. The ultimate goal is to provoke a humanitarian crisis by disabling electricity, heat, and water supplies to major Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa.