Ukraine has obtained detailed Russian plans for strikes on its energy system this winter, including calculations for the types and quantities of weapons needed to destroy specific facilities, First Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal told Ukraine’s Inter TV channel.
According to Shmyhal, the intelligence consists of two extensive Russian documents outlining planned attacks on electricity generation, heating, water supply, sewage systems and other critical energy infrastructure.
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The plans also reportedly cover interconnectors through which Ukraine imports electricity from Europe.
“There are two large documents, written very coldly and very clearly – with tables and the amount of weapons needed for each facility to destroy it,” Shmyhal said, adding that the weapons range from ballistic missiles to jet-powered and conventional drones.
Russia targets winter resilience
The disclosure comes as Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine’s energy and civilian infrastructure ahead of the heating season.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said this week that Russia will not end the war without stronger pressure and called for additional ballistic missile interceptors and sanctions against Moscow and those helping it generate revenue.
Ukraine has also been seeking a winter air-defense package from its partners as Russian forces expand their use of ballistic missiles and faster jet-powered drones.
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Fortifications and international mobilization
According to Shmyhal, Ukrainian authorities have constructed more than 200 protective structures around infrastructure sites considered priority Russian targets.
At the same time, Ukraine and its international partners are building equipment reserves to enable rapid repairs following possible strikes.
More than 40 countries have joined the Energy Ramstein initiative, while more than $2.1 billion has been raised for the Ukraine Energy Support Fund over the past three years.
Partners provided $545 million this year alone, with another €305 million in confirmed commitments. Since the fund began operating, more than 33,000 tonnes of critical energy equipment have been delivered to Ukraine, according to Shmyhal.
A difficult winter ahead
Shmyhal said the coming winter will not be easy, but government calculations indicate it should not be more difficult than the previous one.
Ukraine’s preparations follow another winter in which Russian forces systematically and repeatedly targeted energy facilities across the country.
A UN Human Rights Office report covering December 2025 through May 2026 found that Russian attacks damaged or destroyed electricity generation, transmission and distribution facilities and repeatedly disrupted heating and water supplies for civilians.
The attacks triggered emergency blackouts affecting millions and left hundreds of thousands without heating and hot water for extended periods as temperatures fell below minus 20 degrees Celsius.
The new intelligence gives Ukraine an important advantage in preparing physical defenses and positioning repair equipment before the next wave of attacks.