The Russian Federation is considering options for striking nuclear power plant substations to force Ukraine to sign surrender demands to end the war. The Kremlin's plans are to completely leave Ukrainians without electricity and heat. This is reported in Telegram Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
"In order to force Ukraine to sign unacceptable capitulation demands to end the war, the aggressor state Russia is considering the option of attacking strategic facilities of our state's energy system - we are talking about electricity transmission substations that ensure the operation of Ukrainian nuclear power plants," said in the publication.
In addition, as part of its pressure campaign, Russia is also planning to increase intimidation of European countries and the West in general. The aim of these measures is to curb support for Ukraine, in particular, our country's ability to repel Russian attacks on critical infrastructure.
Thus, Moscow intends to leave Ukrainian civilians without electricity and heat supply.
"By destroying or disabling the specified substations, Moscow seeks to disconnect the nuclear power plant units from the unified energy system of Ukraine, so that Ukrainian civilians will be completely without electricity and heat," — explained the GUR.
The intelligence service reported that as of mid-January 2025, Russia had conducted reconnaissance of ten relevant critical infrastructure facilities in nine regions of Ukraine.
"The Kremlin's intentions to attack substations in order to destroy generation at Ukraine's nuclear power plants in such a hybrid way once again demonstrate the genocidal nature of Russia's war against Ukraine," — summarized the Main Intelligence Directorate.
