"Russia will pay the price": Ukraine obtains Russian military plans for winter strikes on energy and water infrastructure, issues counter-warning
Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Ukrainian special services had obtained two documents detailing Russia’s planned winter attacks on Ukraine’s energy and municipal infrastructure. According to him, the documents contain precise lists of target facilities and specify the types and quantities of weapons required to destroy them. Shmyhal warned that Ukraine would respond in kind: "If the enemy strikes us, our long-range strikes will continue. Russia will pay the price."
"Last week we received materials from our special services—documents originating from Russia outlining its winter operational plan," Shmyhal said. "The plan coldly calculates how to dismantle Ukraine’s energy system. Its callousness has shocked both us and our partners."
He added that the Russian plan targets not only power generation facilities but also heating, water supply, sewage systems, and interconnectors linking Ukraine’s grid to Europe’s. Separate attack strategies exist for major cities including Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa.
"These are lengthy documents, written in a detached, methodical tone, accompanied by tables specifying the number of weapons needed to destroy each target. The weapons include ballistic missiles, jet-powered drones, and conventional unmanned aerial vehicles."
Shmyhal said Ukraine has prepared for winter attacks: over 200 reinforced concrete shelters have been built at critical facilities, with additional protective barriers and netting installed to resist FPV drones. Furthermore, Kyiv is collaborating with partners to procure equipment enabling rapid repair of damaged infrastructure.
Shmyhal emphasized that full protection of energy infrastructure is unattainable. Air defense systems can provide approximately 90% coverage, but even a 10% failure rate under large-scale attacks would lead to severe consequences.
Previously, Zelenskyy stated that if Russia continues targeting Ukraine’s energy and heating systems, Kyiv would retaliate by striking Russian energy infrastructure this winter. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Zelenskyy said: "We have no choice but to make Russia feel the same pain."
On September 23, following talks between U.S. Secretary of State Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, both sides expressed interest in a limited ceasefire, potentially covering energy infrastructure and grain transport routes. Lavrov later stated that Russia has no intention of suspending military operations during negotiations.
Earlier, the Financial Times cited sources familiar with Kremlin positions, reporting that Putin does not wish to conclude an energy ceasefire before winter, hoping instead to use strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure to pressure Kyiv into concessions.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1877257948334092/
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