Russia Launches Winter Offensive with Brutal Strikes on Civilian Targets

Russia has initiated its winter strike campaign against Ukraine's energy infrastructure earlier than in previous seasons, utilizing ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones. This accelerated targeting has resulted in confirmed damage to the Ukrainian grid, leading to the reintroduction of scheduled hourly power cuts in Kyiv and other unspecified regions. The early timing suggests a strategic shift to maximize damage before Ukraine fully deploys countermeasures, though the full impact on grid resilience and the extent of future outages remain uncertain.