“This winter will be even worse”: Russia wants to plunge Ukraine into darkness again

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In the coming weeks, temperatures in Ukraine will drop dramatically – winter is just around the corner. While the situation at the front on the Russian side appears to be stagnating, Russian President Vladimir Putin (71) is once again pushing for the Ukrainian population to be plunged into a cold, dark winter. “We have information that Russia will again try to attack our electricity grids and power plants,” Yaroslav Demchenkov, Deputy Energy Minister, told t-online. And: “This winter won’t be easy.”

According to weather forecasts, it will be colder than in 2022. Putin has long used energy as a weapon. “The goal is clear: Russia wants to break the will of the Ukrainian people. But that will not happen because our civilian population is united,” Demchenkov said.

The Russian army began targeting the energy infrastructure again in September. Partially successful: some communities in Ukraine were left without electricity. A soldier tells the Washington Post that Russia was able to cause significant damage last winter. “But this winter will be much worse,” he warns.

Ukraine has made preparations

Although the power grid has been largely repaired, it still remains vulnerable to attacks. And the enemy is aware of this. “It is very difficult to protect a huge energy system across the country,” Demchenkov explains.

But Ukraine could prepare accordingly. Many places are now equipped with their own power generators that can be used in an emergency. Ukraine has also upgraded spare parts and prepared for possible humanitarian consequences for people in the event of power outages. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has even established its own council to ensure that life for Ukrainians continues as normally as possible, even during power outages. Ukraine, for example, has built up coal and gas reserves.

The vulnerability of the energy systems will become clear

Nevertheless, air defense is the main means to combat Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. “For our part, we have done everything possible, sometimes even impossible, to strengthen our energy system,” explains the Deputy Minister of Energy. “In the end, only next winter and new possible attacks will show us how invulnerable our system is,” he continues.

Ukraine no longer wants to tolerate Russian attacks on its people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, 45, said in early October: “If you cut us off from electricity, you should know that we have the right to do the same to you.” A clear announcement that Ukraine wants to strike back.

Attacks from Ukraine have increased in recent days. The Russian Defense Ministry also reported a total of 36 Ukrainian drone attacks in Crimea on Sunday morning. An oil refinery in Krasnodar was also set on fire. (jwg)

Source: Blick