--- title: "Ivashchenko: This winter, Russia will strike Ukraine's energy sector with combined missiles and 'Shaheds'" description: "HUR head Oleg Ivashchenko warned that in autumn and winter Russia will carry out combined strikes on Ukraine's energy sector and heating plants using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and 'Shaheds.'" date: 2026-09-07T09:44:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/gur-ivashchenko-combined-strikes-on-energy-winter-en tags: [ukraine-war, gur-ivashchenko, energy-infrastructure, air-defense, shahed-drones, russia-ukraine] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Ivashchenko: This winter, Russia will strike Ukraine's energy sector with combined missiles and 'Shaheds' ![Ivashchenko in military uniform: statement on Russia's winter strikes on Ukraine's energy grid with combined missiles and Shaheds](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/07/gur-ivashchenko-combined-strikes-on-energy-winter/gur-ivashchenko-combined-strikes-on-energy-winter-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - HUR head Ivashchenko warned of combined Russian strikes on energy facilities and heating plants in autumn and winter. - Intelligence is recording a rise in the number of 'Shaheds' to 120–300 and even up to 500 per day, plus ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and new loitering munitions. - The key air defense problem is a shortage of PAC-3 missiles for intercepting ballistic missiles; Zelenskyy, the President's Office, diplomats, and intelligence are working on this. - Beskrestnov: there will be no famine due to ties with the European market; he advises buying generators and power banks before prices rise. Oleg Ivashchenko, head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR), warned in an interview with Ukrinform that Ukraine faces combined strikes from the Russian adversary this autumn and winter: ballistic and cruise missiles, 'Shahed' suicide drones, and new loitering munitions will hit primarily the energy infrastructure and heating plants. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine. ### "I can't give you good news": warning from the HUR head "I can't give you good news, and I can't mislead people. As the head of intelligence, I must speak objectively. People need to understand this, and our country needs to prepare for it," Ivashchenko stated. According to him, intelligence knows which targets the adversary plans to strike, with what weapons, and approximately when. Russia's main goal, he emphasized, is to reduce Ukraine's military potential and its strike capabilities: the enemy is hitting ammunition storage sites and attempting to destroy defense production facilities. ### Combined strikes: what is in the adversary's arsenal Intelligence is recording a significant increase in the share of 'Shahed' suicide drones in Russian attacks — their number, by estimates, may reach 120, 300, or even 500 per day. At the same time, the adversary is using ballistic and cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. Ivashchenko separately mentioned new loitering munitions — something between a suicide drone and a cruise missile: they can reach speeds of 500–700 kilometers per hour and be launched from air or ground platforms. Since Russia is employing all these means simultaneously, the air defense system has to handle several tasks at once. "The adversary is adapting. And our task is to adapt faster," the HUR head emphasized. ### Energy and heating plants — the main target in winter According to Ivashchenko, the closer the cold weather, the more frequently energy facilities and heating plants, on which the life of cities and villages depends, will become targets. Intelligence is working in direct contact with the Air Force: it passes information about threats, and the Air Force prepares to shoot down aerial attack means. A separate problem remains the sufficient number of PAC-3 missiles in Patriot systems for defense against ballistic missiles — the 'Iskanders' and 'Tsirkons,' which, according to the HUR head, remain among the most difficult types of targets to intercept. He noted that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President's Office, diplomats, and intelligence are working on resolving this issue. ### There will be no famine: what is being said about food reserves On September 4, Serhiy Beskrestnov, the President of Ukraine's advisor on technological defense areas, explained in a comment to DOU why there will be no famine in the country: the Ukrainian food market is too closely intertwined with the European one, and partners will quickly fill any niche. At the same time, he advised buying generators and power banks already today — before prices rise due to panic buying. As RBC-Ukraine previously reported, the capital has begun accumulating food and drinking water reserves in case of prolonged blackouts: these stocks will go to "points of invincibility," as well as to aid those affected by emergencies and rescuers working on the ground. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [HUR head named Russia's main targets for winter: "I can't give you good news"](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/golova-gur-nazvav-golovni-tsili-rosiyi-zimu-1788774117.html) - Первичный источник цитат начальника ГУР Иващенко; содержание совпадает с текстом основы. - [UP: New HUR head tries to weaken Budanov's influence and is firing his people from their positions](https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2026/08/11/8048211/) - Контекстный источник о смене руководства ГУР; не противоречит основному тексту, но не используется для фактов интервью. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: According to Ivashchenko, which targets does Russia plan to strike in winter? **A:** Primarily energy facilities and heating plants, as well as ammunition storage sites and defense production facilities. ### Q: How many 'Shaheds' may be used per day? **A:** By intelligence estimates, from 120 to 300 and even up to 500 per day, simultaneously with ballistic and cruise missiles. ### Q: What is recommended to buy right now? **A:** Generators and power banks — before prices rise due to panic buying.