Estonian intelligence warns: Russia may intensify attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector in winter

Russia is likely to intensify attacks on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure in the coming winter, seeking to inflict maximum damage on the civilian population, according to Colonel Ants Kiviselg, head of the Estonian Defense Forces’ intelligence center.

ERR reports on the findings of Estonian intelligence.

According to Kiviselga, the course of hostilities is unlikely to change significantly in the near future. Russian troops will continue to exert pressure along the entire front line, seeking local tactical successes.

“In general, Ukraine’s defensive lines are holding, and there are no signs that the Russian Federation will be able to achieve a significant breakthrough in the coming weeks,” Kiviselg noted.

He warned that, frustrated by military failures, Russian propagandists are pushing for strikes on civilian infrastructure, and Moscow is building up capabilities for such operations.

“Despite the public outcry, such a scenario remains highly likely. Firstly, it corresponds to the already established seasonal tactics of destroying Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. Secondly, Russia’s capabilities for conducting such operations are growing. This is confirmed by the increase in the number of long-range weapons used for deep strikes,” the head of the intelligence center said.

Kiviselg separately drew attention to the risks to nuclear safety and called for any actions against nuclear power plants to be considered an extremely serious threat.

“The goal of these actions is to organize large-scale sabotage and distract the forces of the Ukrainian authorities and international partners who provide support to Ukraine. Eliminating the consequences of a major nuclear accident and regional radioactive contamination would require the mobilization of all domestic resources of the country and would lead to the cessation of defense operations. In addition, large-scale international humanitarian aid would be required, the delivery of which, due to Russia’s hostile actions, would be associated with an extremely high security risk,” Kiviselg said.

As a reminder, it was previously reported that on September 30, Russian troops launched a massive strike on the Chernihiv region . As a result of the attack, more than 26,000 subscribers in Bobrovytsia and surrounding villages were left without electricity. The Russians targeted an energy infrastructure facility.

Also, as a result of massive attacks by Russian troops on energy infrastructure, the city of Shostka and 38 surrounding settlements were left without electricity and water .

In addition, the Korabel microdistrict in Kherson was left without gas and electricity .

Also follow “Pryamim” on Facebook , Twitter , Telegram , and Instagram.