Vladimir Putin’s plan to weaponize winter by targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure
Vladimir Putin is targeting Ukraine’s energy supply – and as winter approaches in the northern hemisphere, leaders prepare for brutal repercussions.
Ukraine has already appealed to its citizens to reduce energy consumption to avoid blackouts as Russian missiles continue to target the beleaguered country’s energy infrastructure.
Citizens and businesses were instructed to reduce their electricity consumption between 5pm and 10pm. Prime Minister Denis Shmichal wanted to stabilize the power grid after recent damage from Russian missile attacks.
“Electricity consumption from 5 pm to 10 pm throughout Ukraine should be deliberately reduced by 25%,” he said.
He also called on Ukrainians to rationalize their use of gas and coal.
“This winter, the lowest indoor temperature will be 16 degrees Celsius and the average temperature will be 18 degrees Celsius,” Shmyhal said.
“This is a necessity and a contribution to victory.”
Russian attacks since October 10 have reportedly damaged 30% of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Energy Minister Hermann Harshenko told CNN that there has been a noticeable shift towards Russia “dramatically” targeting its energy infrastructure.
The minister believed that the attack on energy facilities was in response to Ukraine’s energy exports to Europe “to help European countries conserve Russian gas and coal”.
On Monday, Putin confirmed that energy targets were among those hit in the recent strike on Ukraine, claiming that Russian missiles hit “all designated targets.”
He said the attack was in response to the downing of the Kerch Strait Bridge in Crimea, but Ukrainian officials have not claimed responsibility.
Supreme Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhnyi described the attack on social media.
“The Air Force’s air defense assets, the Ukrainian Army’s ground forces, and our air defense units destroyed most of the deadly missiles and projectiles,” he said.
“With such intensity of simultaneous attacks from all directions, they demonstrated their professionalism and dedication to the deal.”
Russia uses the cold ‘as a weapon’
Ukrainian leaders now claim power has been restored to millions since the October 10 strike, but President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Ukrainians to prepare for further blackouts.
Schmichal believed the orchestrated attacks were part of a “sick” Russian ruse to weaponize the winter.
“It’s important to understand that Russian terrorists want to use the cold as a weapon,” he said, according to a Reuters report.
Ukraine has confirmed that Russian missiles and drones hit 28 energy facilities in the attack.
Mihailo Podlya, an adviser to President Zelensky, said the government was ready to strike on critical infrastructure.
“Russia attacked distribution substations connecting (different) regions because it understood that Ukraine has a strong energy system,” said Podoljak. Reuters.
“The system worked, thanks to the responsible approach of the Ukrainians who limited their consumption during the evening hours.”
He said Ukraine is not considering a retaliatory attack on Russia’s energy infrastructure.
“Russia knew that Ukraine has a strong energy system, so it attacked the distribution substations that connect the (different) regions,” Podoljak said.
“The system worked, thanks to the responsible approach of the Ukrainians who limited their consumption during the evening hours.”
He also denied moving away from a “defensive war” with retaliatory attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure.
Ukraine has supplied power to over 4,000 towns and villages since the strike.
Officials ‘deeply concerned’ about major factories
Off-site power supply to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in the Russian-occupied territory of Ukraine was restored on Wednesday after a strike-related blackout forced it to switch to diesel generators.
Rafael Grossi, the United Nations Nuclear Observatory, said: “We have been informed by the team on the ground that off-site power to the Zaporizhia NPP has been restored.
“The ZNPP operator said this morning’s outage was caused by shelling damage to a remote substation, highlighting how precarious the situation is.”
On Monday, the plant lost all offsite power required for critical safety systems for the second time in five days.
Backup diesel generators were used to keep nuclear safety and security equipment running during outages.
“The repeated loss of offsite power at the ZNPP is a highly disturbing development and highlights the urgent need for nuclear safety and security protection zones around the site,” Grossi tweeted. did.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently urged the Russian and Ukrainian militaries to agree a “demilitarized border” around the ZNPP.
Mr. Guterres demanded: “Russian forces undertake to withdraw all military personnel and equipment from their borders and Ukrainian forces undertake not to move there”.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly condemned the bombardment of the plant and has proposed creating a protected area around the plant.
Russian forces captured the factory in early March.
Russian special forces, Russian nuclear experts and Ukrainian staff operate the plant and manage the site.
first published as ‘Disease’: Putin’s Plan to Weaponize Winter by Targeting Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure
Vladimir Putin’s plan to weaponize winter by targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure
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