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Ukraine Warns of 'Toughest Winter' Amid Intensified Russian Attacks
Confirmed
In Short: Ukraine faces its 'toughest winter' since the 2022 invasion, with UN officials warning of systematic attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Ukraine is facing its 'toughest winter' since the 2022 invasion, a top UN official told the BBC. The official, speaking in Ukraine, accused Russia of systematically targeting the country's energy infrastructure, leaving civilians vulnerable to the cold.
Efforts are under way to repair Ukraine's power network so people can run heaters and access water during winter, according to the UN official. Russia and Ukraine have been intensifying aerial attacks in recent months, with Russia using faster, jet-powered drones that are harder to intercept.
Two people were killed earlier this week when Russian drones hit a border crossing between Ukraine and Moldova. Many of the strikes have targeted Ukraine's infrastructure, including businesses, warehouses, factories, petrol stations, as well as energy infrastructure. Ukraine continues to launch drone strikes deep into Russian territory, largely against gas, oil, and business distribution facilities.
More than 100 European Parliament members are urging EU leaders to revive plans to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, as Kyiv faces a €23 billion shortfall in defense funding. The estimated cost of damage caused by Russia’s invasion has already surpassed €600 billion, according to the letter.
What's confirmed
- Ukraine is facing its 'toughest winter' since the 2022 invasion, a top UN official told the BBC. The official, speaking in Ukraine, accused Russia of systematically targeting the country's energy infrastructure, leaving civilians vulnerable to the cold.
- Efforts are under way to repair Ukraine's power network so people can run heaters and access water during winter, according to the UN official. Russia and Ukraine have been intensifying aerial attacks in recent months, with Russia using faster, jet-powered drones that are harder to intercept.
- Two people were killed earlier this week when Russian drones hit a border crossing between Ukraine and Moldova. Many of the strikes have targeted Ukraine's infrastructure, including businesses, warehouses, factories, petrol stations, as well as energy infrastructure. Ukraine continues to launch drone strikes deep into Russian territory, largely against gas, oil, and business distribution facilities.
- More than 100 European Parliament members are urging EU leaders to revive plans to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, as Kyiv faces a €23 billion shortfall in defense funding. The estimated cost of damage caused by Russia’s invasion has already surpassed €600 billion, according to the letter.
What's still developing
- He said Ukraine started "from a very weak base going into this winter".
- The concerns are driven by what De Croo said was Russia's "very systematic" targeting of civilian and energy infrastructure.
- Under efforts to prepare Ukraine for winter the UN Development Programme is helping to rebuild parts of its energy system that were damaged last winter.
- Five people were killed and 67 others were wounded in a daytime Russian drone strike on a shopping mall in Pavlohrad, a city in Dnipropetrovsk region, on Thursday, Ukrainian officials say.
- Russia is expanding its attacks across Ukraine, with growing numbers of missiles and drones striking cities and critical infrastructure far from the front line.