World · 2026-10-15 · Morning briefing
Russia renews winter assault on Ukraine's energy grid
Russia has intensified its winter campaign against Ukraine's energy infrastructure, launching hundreds of strikes in recent weeks. In the week of October 5-11 alone, Ukraine’s energy ministry recorded around 200 hits on power facilities and 17 on the oil and gas sector. A subsequent attack on October 14 targeted another 26 power facilities, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky, as Moscow focuses on disconnecting Kyiv.
Analysts note a tactical shift towards using cheaper, jet-powered drones. These are more effective than missiles against smaller, distributed targets like transformers, directly threatening urban heating, water, and sewage systems. The attacks have already caused temporary power cuts on the Kyiv metro on at least two occasions this month.
The offensive follows a winter that saw Russia destroy 9 gigawatts of generation capacity. With repair material stockpiles now deemed 'critical' by steelmaker Metinvest, Ukraine will rely heavily on its three nuclear plants, which provide 60% of its electricity. Yet, a former head of the state grid operator remains defiant: 'We’ve already seen 95% of the menu. The Russians have left themselves with very little room to surprise us more.'
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