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There is a “realistic possibility” that Russia will launch missile strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure this winter as it did last year, the UK Ministry of Defense said in its daily briefing.
“Between October 2022 and March 2023, Russia focused long-range strikes against Ukraine’s national energy infrastructure,” the Defense Ministry said in the statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.
According to open source reports, the UK ministry said, Russian leaders have again emphasized efforts to step up the pace of production of air-launched cruise missiles (ALCMs).
The expenditure rates on the weapons have fallen since April 2023 in the country, the ministry said. That means Russia is “likely able to generate a significant stockpile” of air-launched cruise missiles to attack Ukraine this winter, it said.
Russian forces launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Ukraine’s energy infrastructure last winter, temporarily cutting off electricity, water and heat to millions.
The Human Rights Watch said last year the Russian tacticto repeatedly target Ukraine energy infrastructure appeared primarily designed to instill terror among the population in violation of the laws of war.
rm/sms (Reuters, AP, AFP, dpa)
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