Russia Intensifies Attacks on Ukraine‘s Energy Grid as U.S. Considers Tomahawk Missiles
KYIV, Ukraine – Russia launched a wave of drone and missile strikes Friday, inflicting critically important damage to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and causing widespread blackouts, as concerns mount over potential escalation with the possible delivery of U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. At least 20 people were wounded in Kyiv, and Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko described the attacks as “one of the largest concentrated strikes” against Ukraine’s energy sector.
The attacks represent a continuation of Russia’s annual strategy to cripple Ukraine’s power grid ahead of the winter months - typically from late October through March, with january and February being the coldest – in an apparent attempt to undermine public morale. Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting or jamming 103 of 118 Russian drones launched overnight Saturday, while Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed to have downed 32 Ukrainian drones over its own territory.
The potential provision of Tomahawk missiles by the U.S. has drawn sharp criticism from Moscow. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated Sunday that “the topic of Tomahawks is of extreme concern,” adding, “Now is really a very dramatic moment in terms of the fact that tensions are escalating from all sides.”
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressed skepticism about the U.S. delivering the missiles, suggesting U.S. policy may fluctuate. “I think we need to calm down in this regard…sometimes he takes a more forceful approach, and then, his tactic is to let go a little and step back,” Lukashenko said, referring to President Donald Trump.
Ukraine’s energy sector has been a primary target as Russia launched its full-scale invasion more than three years ago. The latest strikes follow a pattern of escalating attacks as winter approaches, highlighting the vulnerability of ukraine’s infrastructure and the ongoing humanitarian challenges facing the country.
