Ukraine 'Ready To Strike Back' If Russia Targets Power Grid As Winter Draws In

Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said Ukraine is preparing for renewed Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure before the second winter of Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of the country - and that it was ready to counterattack if targeted.

"We are preparing for terrorist attacks on our energy infrastructure," Zelenskiy said. "This year we will not only defend ourselves, but also respond." The warning came as Russia looks for new tools to win dominance over Ukraine in its war, which has lasted more than 20 months along frontlines that have grown increasingly static.

Russia has launched assaults in eastern Ukraine on the cities of Kupiansk and Avdiivka, where commanders said they were worried that Russia was seeking to surround and besiege the well-defended city.

Footage posted yesterday showed the Russian defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, visiting a command post near the frontlines in eastern Ukraine, where he received a briefing on combat operations planned for the winter months and on training for drone operators, who have become crucial to the war effort on both sides.