During a command briefing, General Valery Gerasimov updated Russian President Vladimir Putin about ongoing military operations targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and transport networks. Gerasimov stated, “The Armed Forces of Russia have commenced mass strikes against Ukrainian energy facilities. A list of these targets and the required resources for their destruction have been identified.”
Additionally, Gerasimov mentioned that, as part of the Russian General Staff’s strategy, attacks are being directed at bridges deemed strategic, as well as railway facilities and data centers. He claimed these sites are allegedly involved in supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces, according to reports.
However, Gerasimov did not specify which particular facilities had been targeted in these attacks.
Context
- On September 30, Prime Minister Sergey Koretsky announced that Russia had resumed large-scale strikes against energy infrastructure. Later, The New York Times reported on an intercepted Russian plan for winter attacks on energy facilities, which reportedly aims to incapacitate nearly 15 GW of generating capacity, with key targets including Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa.
- Since October 1, Russia has repeatedly attacked bridges in Kyiv, including the South and later the North bridges.
- As noted by The New York Times on October 3, bridges have become a new target in the Russian strike campaign. It highlighted that even without complete destruction, these attacks could lead to prolonged closures, creating “logistical chaos” for the capital and all of Ukraine. In response to the shelling, plans are underway to construct alternative crossings over the Dnipro River.
