During winter months, Russia has been terrorizing Ukraine's energy system with attacks, leading to prolonged lack of heating, electricity, and water in several cities.
In recent months, Russia has escalated attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, leaving many cities without essential services during the harsh winter. According to military expert Graube, this strategy is a direct response to Russia's inability to achieve significant territorial gains in Ukraine, having only captured a mere 0.8% of the Ukrainian territory in the past year. This has led Russian forces to redirect their efforts towards civilian targets as a means of exerting pressure on the Ukrainian population, despite it being ineffective in breaking Ukrainian morale.
Graube emphasized that these attacks on civilians, including missile strikes and drone operations, aim to undermine the spirit of the Ukrainian people. However, he noted that communications with Ukrainian military officials suggest that the resolve of the Ukrainian resistance remains strong and is largely unaffected by the ongoing assaults. The expert highlighted that the Ukrainian spirit continues to endure despite the brutal tactics employed by Russian forces.
Furthermore, Graube commented on the peace negotiations that took place over the past year, indicating that the discussions led by the United States have not been substantive from the Russian side. Instead of genuine peace talks aimed at resolution, there appears to be a struggle for favor with the U.S. government. This ongoing conflict and the lack of meaningful dialogue only serve to prolong the suffering experienced by the Ukrainian people as they navigate the challenges posed by the Russian military campaign against their critical infrastructure.
