Russia is preparing to intensify strikes on Ukraine in the fall and winter – ISW

Russia is preparing to intensify strikes on Ukraine’s energy and other important facilities in the fall and winter. Moscow is already trying to explain the upcoming attacks as a “response” to Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory.

This is stated in a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Analysts drew attention to the statement of the Russian Ministry of Defense from October 4. They announced the intensification of strikes on Kyiv, the region, and other regions of Ukraine and explained this by Ukrainian attacks on Russian targets.

ISW believes that Moscow is thus trying to justify new strikes on Ukraine. Russia has regularly attacked Ukrainian cities and energy before the events that it now calls the reason for the “response.”

Analysts say Russia has effectively begun a winter campaign of strikes. In late September, Russian forces stepped up attacks on energy facilities before the heating season even began.

ISW believes that this winter Russia will try to inflict as much damage as possible on Ukraine’s energy and other critical infrastructure. In this way, Moscow wants to increase pressure on Ukraine and its civilian population.

In addition, Russia may rush into such strikes before Ukraine has strengthened its defenses against ballistic missiles and jet drones.

ISW also checked the statements made by the Russian Defense Ministry to explain the new attacks. In particular, Moscow accused Ukraine of attacks on electoral infrastructure during the State Duma elections in September. However, the Russian side did not provide evidence of this.

As previously reported, on the night of Thursday, October 1, Russian occupation forces attacked Kyiv . As a result of the shelling, fires broke out in the Solomiansky and Obolonsky districts of the capital, and one person was injured.

Recall that on the night of Wednesday, September 30, Russian occupation forces attacked Kyiv with ballistic missiles and drones . Fires broke out in at least four districts of the capital, and power and water supply were disrupted. The attack killed two people and injured four others.