Russia plans winter strikes to isolate Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odessa — FT

Russia is preparing to significantly step up missile and drone strikes on Ukraine's largest cities this winter with the aim of isolating them from the rest of the country, President Volodymyr Zelensky and European and Ukrainian intelligence officials told the Financial Times.

Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odessa targeted

Kyiv, the eastern hub of Kharkiv, and the southern port of Odessa are the primary targets of Russia's planned winter campaign, according to Zelensky and officials familiar with intelligence assessments. Lviv in western Ukraine also features in Russian planning. Moscow aims to cut off power, heating, communications and transport links to create conditions of isolation and civilian suffering during the coldest months.

Broader strategy

The offensive would build on Russia's previous winter campaigns targeting energy infrastructure but appears to be more systematically planned and on a larger scale. Ukraine has been reinforcing air-defense capabilities with Western support ahead of the heating season. Western allies are being urged by Kyiv to accelerate the delivery of additional air-defense systems before winter sets in.