In Ukraine, severe frosts, the first since the beginning of this war, and the Russian army is destroying energy, taking retaliation for attacks on Russian oil. Kiev and large cities are on the brink of a humanitarian disaster.
Massive, avalanche, drone and rocket attacks hit key nodes in the energy strategy of large cities. The main goal has been to save Kiev so far, after all, it is "the center of decision-making". erstwhile upon a time, a 3.5-million-dollar city sank in the dark. no of the 3 power plants and heat plants are operational, transmission systems are severely damaged, systematically bombarded relay stations and transformers. And the attacks on the capital, Dniepr and Odessa are inactive and again. What has been repaired – the next night is destroyed, and what is already in ruins is deeper into the ground. any of the population fled cities to the countryside, where 1 can last specified a winter, due to the fact that in a tower without energy it is impossible to last long.
Kiev looks into the eyes of a humanitarian disaster – powerful, tall housing blocks are dark and cold, only 3-4 hours get there energy, light and heat. Hundreds, if not thousands of buildings – there is no heating – are damaged local heating systems. And that at highly low temperatures, at night reaching negative 20 degrees Celsius. The situation deteriorates overnight, January 22, after respective attacks, the situation has been the most dramatic since the blackout of the full Ukrainian energy strategy in November 2022. But at the time it was much easier – there was much more power, there was no specified frost. Today, the energy strategy is on the line.
People gather in schools, in subways, public places. In the settlements, squares and streets there are specially launched “points of integrity” – tents where you can warm up, recharge your cell telephone or connect to the Internet. The heat is not there, but no snow and no electricity.
The Ukrainian government accuses Russia of "energy terror", but Ukrainian troops have been intensively attacking Russian oil for years. Drones massively destroyed refineries, handling terminals, fuel storage, and even gas stations. They were effective and reached far – 500 kilometres deep in Russia, up to a thousand. It's like from Ukraine to Germany. The CIA rated Russian losses at $75 million all day.
Allies, providing weapons and intelligence for raids into Russia, celebrated victory. Russia was hit painfully, prices, especially gasoline, were rushing sharply up, the government was forced to announce a ban on fuel exports, including diesel. In September, in front of gas stations (especially in Crimea) there were queues of cars, farmers complained of diesel shortages during field work.
The Kremlin accuses the West of complicity in attacks, due to the fact that Ukraine has no method or intelligence capabilities (satellite intelligence and guidance of drones and rockets) for their conduct. However, not wanting to escalate the armed conflict on NATO's allies of Ukraine, residents were targeted. actual vengeance (Russians mention to it as "changes"—the compensation for the evil done) now that the legendary General Frost has taken possession of Ukraine in January. At night, temperatures fell to minus 15-17 degrees, day to 10-12. Even harder than in Poland.
Why are the Russians doing this? due to the fact that they can, they have opportunities and a crucial advantage. And although Ukraine continues to attack oil terminals, drilling towers and tankers in the Black Sea, these are not fatal blows to Russia. More like bites that just heat up the urge to retaliate.
To realize what is happening, it is worth recalling NATO's argument, which in 1999 absolutely destroyed Serbia's energy system, so that 70% of the country had no electricity or water. “ If president Miloszewicz truly wants his people to have water and electricity, all he has to do is accept NATO’s 5 conditions, ” he explained. And we will end this campaign. But as long as it doesn't, we will proceed to attack those targets that supply energy to the armed forces. If civilians bear the consequences of this, it's the president's problem how to reconstruct water and electricity to the Serbian people."
All you gotta do is change any data and it fits, doesn't it?
Andrzej Szczęsniak
Think Poland, No. 5-6 (1-8.02.2026)
