Russia's hit on energy sites raises concerns for winter in Ukraine

Ukrainian authorities are scrambling to assess the damage caused by one of the biggest Russian airstrikes of the war this week, which targeted energy infrastructure across the country, further crippling a sector targeted by Moscow multiple times in the spring.

- Shaun Walker

While much of Ukraine is still experiencing the tail end of a very hot summer, this week's strikes have brought into focus concerns about the colder months ahead. "This winter is going to be tough, that's for sure," said Nataliia Shapoval, head of the Kyiv School of Economics Institute.

Monday's attack, which came during morning rush hour, involved more than 100 missiles and more than 100 drones targeting energy infrastructure across the country, from the east close to the frontlines all the way to the far west near the border with EU countries.

While the strikes in spring targeted generating capacity, Monday's attacks were largely focused on distribution infrastructure, such as electricity substations. They led to emergency blackouts across the country, which have tapered into scheduled power cuts affecting Kyiv and other cities.