Russia Targets Ukrainian Power, Heating, and Water as Winter Nears

Nine months into the Ukraine War, the latter-half of which has seen a number of set-backs and retreats from the Russian military, the conflict is entering a new stage as the winter months approach Eastern Europe. Russian missiles are striking critical Ukrainian infrastructure and damaging utility services in major cities, leaving many areas without access to electricity, running water, and heating.

Key Quotes: The U.S. ambassador to the U.N stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “weaponizing winter to inflict immense suffering on the Ukrainian people. He has decided that if he can't seize Ukraine by force, he will try to freeze the country into submission.” Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko told Russian media that “everything is in Ukraine's hands now. If they don't want to perish, they have to stop.” The Associated Press quoted Alina Dubeiko, a Ukrainian citizen who lost power during a missile strike, stating, “nobody will compromise their will and principles just for electricity.”

For Context: In Kherson, which was retaken by Ukrainian forces earlier this month, a missile barrage on Thursday killed 10 civilians, according to the Kherson governor. Fox News reported that 70% of the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv was without power on Thursday morning.

How the Media Covered It: The consensus across the spectrum is that the Russian military is targeting infrastructure in an attempt to weaken the morale of Ukrainian civilians and pressure the Kyiv government into negotiations and concessions. AP called it “a bid to tighten the screwon Kyiv.”