Ukraine has accused Russia of launching a fresh offensive against its energy infrastructure as the country braces for the onset of winter, according to a senior Ukrainian official. The claim, attributed to Koretsky, centres on renewed and intensified attacks on electricity and heating supplies, which Kyiv says are designed to leave civilians without power during the coldest months.
The allegation follows a wave of Russian air strikes across Ukraine, including around the capital, Kyiv. Reports indicate that several people were killed and others injured in the latest round of attacks, which officials describe as one of the most significant assaults on the energy system since the spring. The strikes appear to have targeted generation and distribution facilities, though the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
The timing is critical. As temperatures fall, reliable electricity and heating become essential for millions of households. Ukraine’s energy grid has already been weakened by previous winters of sustained bombardment, and engineers have repeatedly carried out emergency repairs to keep supplies running. The new offensive threatens to stretch those efforts further, raising the prospect of prolonged blackouts and pressure on emergency services.
Western officials and analysts have long warned that Russia uses winter as a weapon, aiming to break civilian morale by depriving people of heat, light and water. The strategy has been condemned as a potential war crime, though Moscow has consistently denied targeting civilian infrastructure, claiming instead that its strikes are directed at military-linked facilities.
The latest attacks have drawn international attention, with monitoring groups and news organisations reporting on the scale of the damage. The strikes around Kyiv are part of a broader pattern across multiple regions, suggesting a coordinated campaign rather than isolated incidents. Ukrainian air defences have been working to intercept incoming missiles and drones, but officials acknowledge that some have got through.
For ordinary Ukrainians, the immediate concern is practical: how to keep homes warm and lit if the grid fails. Local authorities have been preparing contingency plans, including the distribution of generators, heaters and other supplies. Yet the sheer scale of the challenge is daunting, particularly in areas close to the front line where infrastructure is already fragile.
The renewed focus on energy infrastructure also has implications for Ukraine’s economy and war effort. Power outages disrupt industrial production, transport and communications, while also complicating the delivery of humanitarian aid. Repair crews face dangerous conditions, often working under the threat of further strikes.
Koretsky’s warning underscores a grim pattern: as winter approaches, Russia appears to be repeating the tactics that caused widespread suffering in previous years. The coming weeks will test Ukraine’s resilience and the ability of its allies to provide air defence systems and emergency equipment. For now, the priority is to keep the lights on and the heating running, even as the attacks continue.