Russia Says It Is Preparing Mass Strikes on Ukrainian Energy Sites

Russia’s defense ministry has announced that it is preparing mass strikes on energy infrastructure in Ukraine, according to multiple reports published on Monday. The move is framed as a direct response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory.

The announcement was covered by several Russian outlets, including BFM.ru, Interfax, and Forbes.ru. BFM.ru published a commentary by Georgy Bovt, who described the situation as drones and missiles being launched from a "Pandora's box." The commentary suggests that the current escalation involves jet-powered drones and rockets being deployed in significant numbers.

Interfax reported that Russian military forces have begun preparations for these large-scale strikes targeting Ukrainian energy facilities. The defense ministry’s statement, as relayed by Forbes.ru and theins.ru, explicitly links the planned strikes to recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil. This marks a clear escalation in the conflict, with energy infrastructure now being positioned as a primary target.

The reports indicate that Russian forces are already conducting systematic strikes on Ukrainian military targets, according to URA.RU. The new focus on energy infrastructure appears to be an expansion of that campaign, aimed at degrading Ukraine's capabilities and infrastructure in retaliation for cross-border operations.

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The situation remains fluid, with no immediate confirmation of when the strikes will begin or the full scale of the operation. The defense ministry’s statement signals that the coming days could see a significant intensification of attacks on Ukraine's power grid and related facilities.

What to watch next: Whether these announced strikes materialize and how Ukraine and its allies respond to the threat against its energy infrastructure.