Putin Prepares Onslaught on Ukrainian Energy Sector

On 16 October, the Russian Air Force launched another attack on Ukraine with missiles and drones. Iranian strike UAVs, X-59 aircraft missiles were used, and C-300 missiles were struck at Ukraine's frontline territories. In addition, the Russians used one Iskander-M ballistic missile. The air defence system managed to shoot down 11 drones and two X-59 missiles. As a result of the shelling bombardment destruction and civilian casualties were recorded in Kirovograd, Dnipropetrovsk and Poltava regions.

The latest combined attack confirmed Putin's intention to intensify his terrorisation of Ukraine's energy infrastructure this winter. The missiles and drones in the latest attack once again travelled on a confusing trajectory to determine the location of air defence systems. This is necessary for subsequent strikes on energy facilities, for the sake of which the Russians are testing the degree of their defence and also aiming to deplete the ammunition of Ukrainian air defences. The relatively infrequent use of cruise missiles also indicates that the Russians are preparing to launch massive strikes on Ukrainian cities: a similar trend was observed in March-April of this year, after which unprecedentedly frequent attacks began - strikes on Ukraine with missiles and drones were almost daily.

The timely delivery of air defence systems and their warheads to Ukraine is critical. Putin wants to kill as many Ukrainians as possible, and missile strikes are an additional tool in this genocide. Only a comprehensive air defence system around Ukraine's large cities will allow their inhabitants to survive what threatens perhaps to be the worst winter since Ukrainian independence.