Politics 4 min read By Alice Ashford
Ukraine accuses Russia of new winter offensive on energy grid
Kyiv says Moscow has resumed large-scale strikes on power and heating infrastructure as colder weather approaches, with casualties reported around the capital.
Ukraine has accused Russia of launching a renewed offensive against its power and heating infrastructure ahead of the coming winter, as officials reported deaths and injuries in strikes around Kyiv. The charge was made by Andriy Koretsky, a senior Ukrainian official, who said Moscow had intensified attacks on the country's energy system in recent days.
The strikes mark the largest assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure since the spring, according to accounts from the ground, and come as temperatures begin to fall. Officials said the attacks targeted facilities involved in electricity generation and heat supply, raising fears of renewed disruption to households and industry during the coldest months of the year.
Several people were killed and others injured in the strikes around the capital, local authorities said. Emergency services were deployed to affected areas, and damage to energy facilities was reported. The full extent of the destruction was not immediately clear, and assessments were continuing.
Koretsky said the timing of the attacks pointed to a deliberate strategy of targeting Ukraine's energy system before winter sets in, when demand for heating and electricity peaks. He said the strikes were part of a broader campaign aimed at undermining civilian morale and the functioning of the state.
The renewed pressure on the grid echoes previous winters, when large-scale missile and drone attacks damaged power stations and substations across the country, forcing rolling blackouts and emergency repairs. Ukraine has since worked to repair and harden its energy network, but officials have warned that the system remains vulnerable to sustained bombardment.
The latest strikes drew international attention as Western allies monitored the escalation. The attacks add to pressure on Ukraine's air defences, which have been stretched by repeated waves of long-range strikes. Officials have consistently called for additional air defence systems and ammunition to protect critical infrastructure.
There was no immediate independent confirmation of the scale of the damage, and casualty figures were still being verified. Ukrainian officials said rescue and repair work was under way at the affected sites.
The strikes come amid continued fighting along the front line and diplomatic efforts to maintain support for Kyiv. Energy security has been a central concern for Ukraine and its partners, who have sought to help restore and protect the grid before winter.
Analysts have warned that sustained attacks on energy infrastructure could have knock-on effects for water supply, hospitals and transport, as well as for the wider economy. Ukrainian officials have said they are preparing contingency plans, including backup power and decentralised generation, to limit the impact on civilians.
Koretsky's accusation underscores the broader pattern of the conflict, in which energy infrastructure has repeatedly been a target. With winter approaching, the coming weeks are likely to be a critical test of Ukraine's ability to keep the lights and heating on under continued attack.
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