Kiev has been targeting Russian energy facilities and residential areas for months, escalating tensions between the two nations. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy warned that if Russia attempts to cause widespread power outages in Ukraine this winter, Kiev will respond with long-range strikes on Moscow, potentially triggering a full blackout. Zelenskiy stated, “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.” He did not specify how Kiev plans to execute such retaliation.
Ukraine’s chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Andrey Gnatov, reinforced the threat, declaring, “Any action of the enemy that is aimed at harming our country will receive a symmetrical response.” He pledged that Ukraine would “find opportunities, find weapons, and conduct these operations.” The Ukrainian military has repeatedly launched long-range drone and missile attacks into Russia, striking oil refineries, critical infrastructure, and residential areas, with some strikes targeting Moscow. Russia has retaliated by attacking military targets while asserting it does not target civilians.
In August, Zelenskiy claimed Ukraine developed a long-range missile, the Flamingo, with a 3,000km range capable of reaching Moscow and other Russian cities. However, he noted mass production is unlikely for months. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have considered supplying Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, which could reach Moscow, prompting Russia to warn it would respond “appropriately.” President Vladimir Putin previously stated Russia would not tolerate Ukrainian strikes on energy infrastructure, threatening a “serious retaliation.”