A Russian war targeting Ukraine’s energy sector threatens what could be the harshest winter since the beginning of the invasion, according to Ukrainian officials.

Recent attacks have struck vital electricity and energy infrastructure across several regions. The scene is the same: fires and destruction in various locations.

Ukraine’s Minister of Energy stated that these areas are subjected to daily direct shelling of their critical infrastructure, emphasizing that the government’s current priorities are to strengthen air and cyber defenses for energy facilities.

Kyiv has submitted an urgent list of needs to the G7 for detailed discussions with each partner country. Ukraine also announced its intention to increase gas imports by 30% to compensate for losses caused by the largest Russian attack on gas facilities since the war began.

In response, the Ukrainian president has threatened to retaliate against repeated Russian strikes, warning that he may plunge Russian cities into darkness if Moscow continues targeting his country’s energy sector.