Intercepted Russian plan outlines winter campaign to cut power, heat and water in Ukrainian cities - NYT

Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal presented the document to European partners in Paris two weeks ago, according to two people familiar with the presentation. The NYT also obtained a copy of the document, which Ukraine described as an intercepted Russian plan.

The proposed campaign targets electrical substations, hydroelectric and thermal power plants and boiler houses. It also calls for strikes on electrical switchyards connecting Ukraine’s three operating nuclear power plants to the grid, with the aim of forcing the plants offline.

The document also describes attacks on water infrastructure, including pumping stations and wastewater treatment facilities, using dozens of ballistic missiles and glide bombs. The NYT noted that Russia has not previously attacked such facilities on a large scale.

Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa are identified as primary targets. The document calls for cutting electricity and heating supplies in the cities by as much as 90% and severely disrupting sewage systems.

The campaign is laid out in three stages: first targeting substations near Ukraine’s western border that receive imported European electricity, then hydroelectric plants, and finally infrastructure connecting the country’s three operating nuclear plants to the grid.

The stated goal is to eliminate nearly 15 gigawatts of generating capacity - roughly as much as Ukraine had available at the end of the summer.

The New York Times said it could not independently authenticate the Russian-language document, which is dated August. It also remains unclear whether Moscow will carry out the strategy described in it.