Russia is considering the option of striking strategic energy infrastructure facilities in Ukraine, specifically electricity transmission substations that ensure the operation of the country’s nuclear power plants, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency said.
According to the intelligence, these plans are part of an effort to blackmail and pressure Ukraine into accepting unacceptable capitulation terms to end the war. Destroying or disabling such substations could disconnect nuclear power plant units from Ukraine’s unified power grid, potentially leaving civilians without electricity and heating.
The intelligence agency said that as part of this pressure campaign, Moscow also intends to step up intimidation of European countries and the West more broadly in an attempt to curb support for Ukraine, including its ability to repel Russia’s aerial attacks on critical energy infrastructure.
As of mid-January 2025, Russia had conducted reconnaissance of ten such critical energy infrastructure facilities across nine regions of Ukraine, according to the agency.
Ukraine’s military intelligence said these intentions to target substations in order to undermine nuclear power generation once again demonstrate the genocidal nature of Russia’s war against Ukraine.