NYT: Russia plans winter strikes to cut power to Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa

October 2, 2026 at 04:02 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

The New York Times reports that Kyiv intercepted a Russian plan to cut electricity, heat, and water to major Ukrainian cities this winter. The plan, presented by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Paris two weeks ago, outlines systematic attacks using up to 1,000 missiles, drones, and bombs. Russian forces began implementing the plan on September 30 with strikes on a Kyiv thermal power plant.

Key Facts

The intercepted Russian plan aims to deprive Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa of up to 90% of electricity and heat, and to severely disrupt sewage systems.
The plan describes three stages: first, disable substations near Ukraine's western borders; second, disable hydroelectric plants; third, stop all three operating nuclear power plants.
The plan targets generating capacity of almost 15 gigawatts, which was Ukraine's total capacity at the end of summer.
Russian forces struck a large thermal power plant and other energy facilities in Kyiv on September 30, leaving several districts without electricity and water.
The New York Times has no independent confirmation of the document's authenticity, but notes Putin previously announced a winter operation to destroy Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

The Intercepted Plan

The New York Times obtained a copy of a document presented by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal to Kyiv's partners in Paris two weeks ago. Shmyhal called the August-dated document a Russian plan to destroy Ukraine's energy system through methodical attacks. The plan's ultimate goal is to deprive Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa of up to 90% of electricity and heat, and to seriously disrupt the sewage system. It describes three stages: first, disable substations near Ukraine's western borders through which it imports electricity from Europe; second, disable hydroelectric plants; third, stop all three operating nuclear power plants. The final stage includes missile strikes on substations located less than 1.5 km from reactors, which the NYT calls the most alarming part.

Implementation and Targets

The plan aims to take out generating capacity of almost 15 gigawatts, which was Ukraine's total capacity at the end of summer. Russian forces began implementing the plan on September 30, striking a large thermal power plant and other energy facilities in Kyiv with missiles and drones. Several districts were left without electricity and water as a result. The plan for the first time includes large-scale strikes on Ukraine's water supply system, including pumping stations and treatment facilities.

Verification and Context

The New York Times states it has no independent confirmation of the document's authenticity. The newspaper notes that Russian President Vladimir Putin previously announced a large-scale winter operation to destroy Ukraine's energy infrastructure in response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries.