Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal has warned that Moscow is likely to expand attacks on the country’s civilian population and critical infrastructure in the coming months as Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks to finally break Ukraine’s resistance.
“Russia’s goal now is to destroy our water supplies,” commented Shmyhal in an interview with Politico this week. “Last winter they targeted electricity and heating, but you could still survive if you had gas and water during electricity shutdowns. It is difficult to survive for more than three days without water.”
This grim forecast highlights Ukraine’s predicament as the country prepares for a fifth wartime winter amid mounting air defense shortages and escalating Russian bombardment. Russia is ramping up missile production as the Kremlin seeks to exploit Ukraine’s air defense deficit, leading to record numbers of cruise missile and ballistic missile strikes in recent months.
Ukraine is heavily dependent on the US-made Patriot air defense system to intercept Russian ballistic missiles. However, growing demand in the Middle East and limited American production mean the United States is currently unable to provide Ukraine with the quantity of interceptors needed to match Russia’s increased output. With plans to allow Ukraine to make Patriot missiles struggling to advance, this gap will not close soon.
