The UK Ministry of Defence has issued a warning, based on intelligence updates, that Russia is likely preparing to launch missile strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure during the upcoming winter season.
According to Pravda.com.ua this follows a pattern established last year when Russia targeted Ukrainian energy facilities from October 2022 to March 2023.
The UK Defence Intelligence report recalls that Russia primarily used Kh-101 missiles, launched from strategic aircraft within Russian territory, for these attacks.
The ministry emphasized that Russia has recently reduced its spending on air-launched cruise missiles while simultaneously increasing the production rate of such weapons.
According to the intelligence update, Russia is likely amassing a significant stockpile of air-launched cruise missiles.
"There is a realistic possibility Russia will again focus these weapons against Ukrainian infrastructure targets over the winter," the report stated.
In a prior review, UK Defence Intelligence had assessed the damage caused by a Ukrainian missile strike on the Russian submarine Rostov-on-Don and the landing ship Minsk, both of which were undergoing dry-dock repairs in Sevastopol.
