Kyiv has declared Russia’s energy infrastructure a legitimate target, asserting that Moscow funds its war effort through revenue generated from energy sales. The statement, made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, comes as Russia continues a campaign of strikes against Ukrainian energy facilities, causing widespread power outages and deepening hardship during the winter months.
“We do not have to choose – whether we strike a military target or an energy [facility],” Zelenskyy said in a video released Sunday. “He [the enemy] sells this energy. He sells oil. So is it an energy [facility], or is it a military target? Honestly, it’s the same thing. He sells oil, takes the money, invests it in weapons. And with those weapons, he kills Ukrainians.”
Zelenskyy continued, framing the targeting of Russia’s energy sector as a necessary response to Moscow’s tactics. “Either we build weapons to strike their weapons, or we strike the source where their money is generated and multiplied. And that source is their energy sector. That is what is happening. All of this is a legitimate target for us. And who else could have done this to the Russians before us? No one.”
The Ukrainian leader’s comments underscore a shift in strategy, acknowledging Ukraine’s limited capacity to retaliate in kind against Russian attacks while simultaneously justifying strikes within Russian territory. While Zelenskyy acknowledged Ukraine lacks the resources to match Russia’s firepower, he emphasized the strategic importance of disrupting the financial lifeline supporting the Kremlin’s military operations.
Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid in recent weeks, causing significant damage to power plants and infrastructure. , Zelenskyy reported that Russian forces launched over 400 drones and 40 missiles, impacting power generation and distribution. These attacks have left many regions without power, exacerbating the challenges faced by Ukrainians during the harsh winter months.
The situation is particularly dire as Russia targets infrastructure in an attempt to “split society and weaken it, break it,” according to Zelenskyy. The attacks are described as a form of hybrid warfare aimed at undermining Ukrainian resilience.
International concern is growing over the escalating conflict and its humanitarian consequences. The attacks come amid ongoing, though currently stalled, diplomatic efforts to find a resolution to the war. According to reports, the United States is pushing for a peace deal by , but significant obstacles remain, particularly regarding territorial concessions.
The timing of Russia’s intensified attacks also coincides with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to scrap tariffs on India’s oil purchases from Russia, a move that critics argue further finances the conflict.
Meanwhile, security experts warn that a ceasefire in Ukraine could allow Russia to rearm and intensify its threat to NATO’s eastern flank. Wolfgang Ischinger, chair of the Munich Security Conference, stated that as long as Ukraine continues to defend itself, Russia’s military capabilities are constrained. However, a ceasefire could provide Russia with the opportunity to rebuild its forces “in peace,” increasing the potential for future aggression.
Amidst the escalating conflict, international aid efforts are underway to support Ukraine. In Poland, two airports near the Ukrainian border were temporarily closed due to the latest Russian strikes. In Kraków, Poland, the Archdiocesan Caritas has raised over 5.74 million złoty to provide assistance to Kyiv, including generators, heaters, food, and supplies for “Points of Invulnerability” – shelters established in churches to provide warmth and support to those affected by the attacks.
Zelenskyy has reported that Russia has launched over 2,000 combat drones, 1,200 guided aerial bombs, and 116 missiles at Ukrainian cities and villages in the past week alone. He emphasized the need for continued international pressure on Russia to create conditions conducive to a diplomatic solution, stating that the cost of the war for Russia must be high enough to make its continuation unsustainable.
