Ukraine obtained Russian plans for winter strikes on energy system, minister says

Shmyhal said Ukrainian security services provided the government last week with two documents obtained “from the Russian side” outlining what he described as Russia’s strategy for winter attacks.

The documents contain tables identifying targets and calculating the types and number of weapons needed to destroy each one, he said.

“There are two large documents, written very coldly and very clearly, with tables showing the number of weapons needed for each facility to destroy it,” Shmyhal said. “The types of weapons range from ballistic missiles to jet-powered and conventional drones. We understand how they are going to act.”

According to Shmyhal, the plans cover attacks on electricity generation, heating, water and sewage systems, as well as power interconnectors linking Ukraine with Europe and infrastructure crossing the Dnipro River.

He said Russia also has separate plans targeting Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa and other Ukrainian cities with populations of more than 500,000.

Ukraine is preparing for the winter campaign by strengthening air defenses and physically protecting critical infrastructure. More than 200 reinforced concrete shelters have already been completed over facilities identified as priority Russian targets, Shmyhal said.

Ukraine is also stockpiling equipment with international partners to allow damaged energy infrastructure to be repaired quickly following potential attacks.

Shmyhal acknowledged that physical protection cannot cover the entire energy system, saying air defenses remain Ukraine’s main protection against large-scale Russian attacks.