By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Reports from Russian Telegram channels indicate that Ukrainian HIMARS rockets struck a thermal power plant near Belgorod on September 28, leading to power outages across the region. Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed the strike on critical infrastructure, although the extent of the damage remains unknown. This attack aligns with Ukraine’s recent intensification of strikes against Russian energy infrastructure, a strategic move impacting Moscow’s revenues and armed forces’ logistics. Furthermore, Belgorod, located near the Ukrainian border, has been a regular target of Ukrainian strikes.
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Ukrainian HIMARS reportedly strike thermal power plant in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast, and it certainly seems like a turning point. For a while, there’s been a sense that Ukraine has been fighting with one hand tied behind its back, particularly when it comes to hitting critical infrastructure inside Russia. Now, it appears the gloves are off. This shift signals a possible escalation, sending a clear message that the cost of the war might be shared, potentially forcing a choice between sustaining the war machine and providing basic necessities for the Russian population.
The logic behind targeting power plants is fairly straightforward. They’re critical for everything, especially for military production. Without power, it becomes much harder to manufacture weapons, operate railways, or even refine oil. It’s about degrading the ability to wage war, not just mirroring the tactics that Russia has already employed. The impact of such attacks, especially if concentrated, could be significant, disrupting logistics and manufacturing capabilities.
It’s important to understand that this isn’t necessarily about inflicting civilian suffering, although that is a possible consequence. The primary targets are strategic assets, which inevitably impacts the civilian population as well. The intention, however, is to cripple Russia’s war-making capacity. The approach is to target industrial facilities, the power grids that fuel them, and the transport networks supporting them.
Of course, it’s easy to say, “Let’s see more of this,” but it’s also complex, as civilians will be impacted. But with the destruction of power grids by Russia, this can be considered a response in kind. Ukrainians have endured this reality for two winters now, and the prospect of Russians experiencing similar hardships might be viewed as a way to level the playing field, or even speed up the end to the war.
The impact on the Russian populace isn’t the primary goal here, it is that without the proper power supply, weapons manufacturing and supply chains will fail. It might not lead to outright collapse, but it could strain the resources needed to continue the conflict. It’s a way to erode the ability of Russia to fund its war machine, and force Putin into a difficult choice between arming his military and providing basic necessities to his people.
The targeting of critical infrastructure also carries significant symbolic weight. Hitting power distribution hubs or even the Kremlin, even if just symbolically, can be a major blow, particularly if the strikes are sustained over time. These actions can have a significant impact on morale, both in Ukraine and potentially within Russia, influencing public opinion and potentially accelerating the end of the war.
It’s a dangerous game, one that could backfire if it rallies Russians behind Putin and his war efforts. But, it also has the potential to wake the populace to the reality of their country’s aggression, and the costs associated with it. It’s about creating a situation where the Russian people begin to question the true cost of the war, when they are having to make difficult financial choices, because of the war and how their government has handled the conflict.
Ultimately, this move suggests a shift toward a more assertive, possibly more decisive, approach. It’s a risky strategy, but it might be perceived as a necessary step to achieve the overall goal of ending the war. The focus is no longer solely on military targets, but also on those that will undermine the functionality of the Russian war effort. The implications are far-reaching, and the coming months may well determine the path the war will take.