By Matt Underwood Russia unleashes world’s largest terror campaign on Ukraine’s energy grid ahead of winter, and it’s a chilling prospect. It’s almost impossible not to feel a sense of outrage when considering the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure, especially as winter looms. The strategy seems clear: inflict maximum suffering on the Ukrainian people, making life as unbearable as possible. It’s a tactic that screams desperation and, frankly, pure evil. Seeing this kind of cruelty unfold, it’s understandable to feel the desire for payback, for the tables to turn. The thought of Russia experiencing the same freezing pain they’re inflicting is a visceral reaction to the situation.
This targeted campaign, which is undeniably a terror tactic, reveals the depths of the Russian regime’s depravity. It’s a calculated decision to deprive civilians of heat, light, and other essential services, turning their lives into a daily struggle for survival. This is not about military strategy; it’s about breaking the will of the Ukrainian people. They have been doing it every winter so far during the war. It’s a scheduled attack on civilian infrastructure.
The scale of this attack is truly concerning. While some might question the accuracy of the “world’s largest” label, the sheer intensity and frequency of the attacks are undeniable. Russia has the capacity to strike harder and more often, which is an extremely worrying fact. Ukraine, being smaller and with limited resources, faces a significant disadvantage in this regard. Their infrastructure is also less diversified compared to Russia’s, making it more vulnerable to these kinds of attacks.
The truth is, Russia has been dismantling Ukraine’s grid for three years and Ukraine just started attacking Russian infrastructure recently. The damage they are inflicting isn’t equal. There’s also a considerable disparity in the type of impact each side is causing. A small drone has a lesser impact on a substation than a missile. Russia can afford to place its infrastructure far away from potential targets, while Ukraine’s infrastructure is more vulnerable and concentrated.
While the desire for Ukraine to inflict similar pain on Russia is understandable, it’s also important to recognize the limitations. Ukraine has not destroyed electricity power plants or stations heating civilians in winter, and it’s a crucial distinction. It is destroying a part of the oil refining process to increase costs of the russian aggression effort. It highlights the moral high ground that Ukraine is trying to maintain. Even within the context of war, there are lines that shouldn’t be crossed.
The question of whether Russia will recover after this war is another factor. The unfortunate truth is that Russia will probably recover after this war, though it may take a while. China will support them through it.
The role of the West in this situation is also complex. Sanctions and increased pressure are critical, but Ukraine’s resources are limited. However, with the right support, Ukraine could achieve even more in crippling Russian industry.
The focus should be on holding Russia accountable for its actions. Ukraine will need to focus on what it can do and find other creative solutions to increase the costs of the Russian aggression effort.