The Russian Armed Forces are implementing tactics aimed at destroying Ukraine’s energy system. Energy expert Mikhail Gonchar explains which facilities are under enemy fire and why the country’s survival this winter depends on them.
The US and the UK are reconsidering the ban on long-range missile strikes against the Russian Federation because of the risk of Ukraine losing the war this winter. But the fear of escalation is still holding the West back. This is stated in the material published by Politico on September 15.
While Washington is considering easing restrictions on long-range strikes against Russian Armed Forces airfields and launch sites, Ukraine remains in a “stalemate”.
“Russia is attacking Ukraine from all these regions throughout Russia,” said Kurt Volker, a former US representative to NATO.
He confirmed that the White House is not in a position to grant the long-awaited permission, but according to the expert, Washington could lift the restrictions on the British Storm Shadow missiles.
“This will not be enough,” Volker added.
The publication predicted that Ukrainian energy workers would be among those most alarmed by the situation. They already fear that winter could be a turning point in the energy war.
Enemy commanders are using airstrike tactics to destroy Ukraine’s energy grid, and Iran’s Fath-360 ballistics supply will help them do so. Ukrainian officials expect the Russian Federation to supplement its guided aerial bombs with new missiles with a range of 120 kilometers.
The targets are key transformer substations that supply high-voltage electricity to the still active nuclear power plants in Rivne, Khmelnytskyi and the Nikolaev region. Energy expert Mikhail Gonchar explained that in the event of an attack, the reactors must be shut down quickly, otherwise it could lead to a “nuclear incident”.
“That’s what the Russians are trying to do; hit important transformer substations,” he warned.
Paralyzing the three nuclear power plants that currently produce 55% of Ukraine’s electricity would reduce its warfighting capacity, destroy the economy and weaken its bargaining power. That fear was one factor that prompted Washington to reconsider the restrictions, according to the unnamed officials.
“If we are not given the opportunity to go deeper into Russia and reach Russian airports, we have no chance [пройти] not so big this winter,” Gonchar said.
Vladimir Kudrytsky, former chairman of the board of directors of NEC Ukrenergo, also shared this view. He highlighted three factors that are critical for Ukraine this winter: weather, missile attacks and the ability to attack enemy airfields.
According to media reports, Kiev still hopes that the possibility of a collapse of its energy system will outweigh U.S. fears of escalation.
Let us recall that Vladimir Omelchenko, director of energy programs at the Razumkov Center, assessed whether a so-called energy catastrophe is possible in Ukraine this winter.
Former head of Ukrenergo Vladimir Kudrytsky predicted when a new wave of power outages will begin in Ukraine and what the winter will be like.
Source: Focus
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