Russia is increasingly attacking small Ukrainian electrical substations, using a growing number of its own domestically produced drones. This tactic has allowed the occupiers to significantly destabilize the Ukrainian energy system during the winter of 2025–2026. Reuters reports this, according to UNN.
As the agency notes, Russian forces have changed their approach to strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. While previously the main targets were large power plants and massive generation facilities, now small substations are increasingly coming under fire.
According to CIR data, this became possible due to a sharp increase in drone production in Russia. Thanks to this, the occupiers can carry out massive attacks and simultaneously expand their list of targets.
Previously, Russia needed to stockpile drones to create sufficient volume to break through Ukrainian air defenses. Now, with an average of over a hundred drones launched at Ukraine per day, Russian forces have gained more freedom in choosing targets
Reuters notes that during individual attacks, Russia launches hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles simultaneously. This creates serious pressure on the Ukrainian air defense system and energy infrastructure.
The Ukrainian side is forced to concentrate limited air defense assets around the most important facilities – large power plants and critical infrastructure. Because of this, smaller substations remain more vulnerable to attacks.
According to World Bank estimates, the damage to the Ukrainian energy sector from Russian shelling already amounts to about $25 billion. At the same time, the full restoration and reconstruction of the energy sector could cost over $90 billion.
Reuters also recalls that last winter, Russia conducted its largest campaign of strikes on Ukraine's energy sector since the start of the full-scale war. In some cities, Ukrainians were left without electricity for up to 18 hours a day during the lowest temperatures in recent years.
The Russian Ministry of Defense did not respond to a Reuters request regarding new data on the attacks. Meanwhile, Moscow traditionally denies intentional strikes on civilian infrastructure. Ukraine, for its part, emphasizes that attacks on the energy sector are a war crime.