# Russia plans winter strikes on Ukrainian cities to force surrender, NYT reports

https://mins.news/en/item/103556

- Meduza, 2026-10-16 18:16 UTC
- World
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/10/16/russia-plans-winter-strikes-to-cut-off-electricity-heat-and-water-in-kyiv-kharkiv-and-odesa-to-force-ukraine-s-surrender-nyt-reports

> Russia expects to force Ukraine to capitulate this winter by attacking its energy system and cutting electricity, heat, and water in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa, The New York Times reports. Ukraine intercepted the Russian government plan and shared it with European allies. Analysts say Ukraine’s depleted air defenses and vulnerable energy infrastructure improve Moscow’s chances, though past bombing campaigns have generally failed to compel surrender.

## Related coverage

- [Fleeing Russian attacks in Ukraine: People forced to find new places to call home](https://mins.news/en/video/103615) — Al Jazeera English, 2026-10-16
- [Attacks on Ukraine’s power plants show Russia has given up on military victory](https://mins.news/en/item/103336) — The Guardian, 2026-10-16
- [Russia strikes nine Ukrainian regions as tensions grow between Zelenskyy and Trump](https://mins.news/en/item/102936) — euronews, 2026-10-16
