On August 30, 2026, Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces had begun preparations for massive strikes on facilities in Ukraine's energy sector. The statement, posted on Telegram, described the strikes as a response to "ongoing attacks by the Kyiv regime on civilian infrastructure and on Russia's oil and energy complex."

The announcement echoes the previous winter, when Russian strikes repeatedly hit Ukrainian power plants, devastating the country's energy sector and leaving millions of people without electricity and heating in sub-zero temperatures.

According to the report, both sides have escalated long-range strikes over the past several months, targeting infrastructure including warehouses, businesses, oil and port facilities, and ships. Civilian casualties have been rising as a result.