Russian missile strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure reached their highest monthly total in October in at least two and a half years, according to an analysis by AFP, cited by The Moscow Times. This surge indicates a renewed and intensified campaign targeting the nation’s critical power grid as winter approaches for the fourth time since the conflict began.
In October, Russia launched 270 missiles at Ukraine, marking a 46% increase from the previous month and the highest single-month tally recorded since Ukraine began routinely publishing strike statistics in early 2023. This strategic targeting aims to induce widespread blackouts and exert psychological pressure on the civilian populace, a tactic Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has described as an attempt to “create chaos.”
The escalation in kinetic attacks against energy facilities has led to the implementation of rolling blackouts across all regions of Ukraine, including the capital, Kyiv, throughout October. This pattern aligns with previous winter campaigns where Russia has focused on degrading Ukraine’s power generation and distribution capabilities.
These actions have drawn international scrutiny. Last year, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague issued arrest warrants for senior Russian army officials, citing the targeting of Ukrainian energy sites as causing excessive harm to civilians. Beyond missiles, Russia also deployed 5,298 long-range drones in October, a figure consistent with near-record highs, as reported by Cyberwarzone’s report on Russian drone tactics.
In response to these sustained attacks, Ukraine has carried out its own strikes, targeting Russian oil depots and refineries in an effort to disrupt Moscow’s energy exports and induce domestic fuel shortages. For more information on Ukraine’s counter-offensives, see our article on Ukrainian Forces Reportedly Conduct Widespread Strikes on Russian Infrastructure and Military Targets. The strategic contest over critical energy infrastructure continues to evolve.