---
title: "Shmyhal: Russia has shifted to a comprehensive strategy of destroying Ukraine's energy system"
description: "Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reported that Russia has adopted a comprehensive strategy to destroy the energy grid, using mass turbojet drones. Kyiv and Dnipro face the most critical situation."
date: 2026-11-09T20:30:16.514Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/shmyhal-russia-strategy-destroy-ukraine-energy-grid
tags: [ukraine, energy-system, russia, shmygal, drones, infrastructure, war]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Shmyhal: Russia has shifted to a comprehensive strategy of destroying Ukraine's energy system

![Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal in dark clothing against a wall with military emblems](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/09/shmygal-rossiya-pereshla-k-kompleksnoy-strategii-razrusheniya-energosistemy-ukrainy/shmygal-rossiya-pereshla-k-kompleksnoy-strategii-razrusheniya-energosistemy-ukrainy-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Shmyhal reported Russia's shift to a comprehensive autumn strategy for destroying Ukraine's energy grid
- The enemy is using turbojet drones with MESH networks and AI for higher strike precision
- Targets include substations, power lines, thermal/hydro plants, and oil/gas infrastructure; critical status in Kyiv and Dnipro
- Additional repair crews have been formed, and distributed generation is being deployed
- Koretskyi reported 2,147 energy sector attacks since July 16, with damages over $7.7 billion

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal stated that during the autumn period, Russia moved to a comprehensive strategy of destroying the Ukrainian energy system, significantly changing its strike tactics. According to the Prime Minister, the pace of repair work is directly affected by the intensity of enemy attacks, which he assesses as remaining high and systematic.

### New tactics: turbojet drones and AI

"This autumn, the enemy shifted to a comprehensive strategy of destroying the Ukrainian energy system, significantly changing its tactics. The enemy is massively using turbojet-powered drones in target-seeking mode, utilizing MESH networks and AI, which increases strike precision," Shmyhal noted. Media reports indicate that the Ukrainian energy company Ukrenergo has also confirmed the change in tactics, pointing to mass damage to power transmission tower supports and the severing of lines themselves.

### Under attack: key facilities and entire regions

According to the Prime Minister, the primary targets of attacks have been key substations, switchgear, power lines, thermal and hydroelectric power plants, combined heat and power plants (CHPs), and oil and gas infrastructure. He stated that the situation with electricity remains particularly difficult in Kyiv and Dnipro, where restoration work is being carried out around the clock. Previously, it was reported that Russia struck a critical substation supporting the Khmelnytskyi NPP, which, according to Shmyhal, creates nuclear safety risks.

### Response measures: additional teams and distributed generation

To assist with recovery, the Prime Minister said that additional teams of power engineers have already been formed. In parallel, the resilience of communities is being strengthened through the development and deployment of already installed distributed generation. Furthermore, the coordination of Kyiv's contact centers, distribution system operators, and the Government Contact Center has been aligned to process citizen requests and complaints faster and more effectively.

### Wider context: economic strikes and negotiation leverage

Serhiy Koretskyi previously reported at the Kyiv International Economic Forum that 2,147 attacks had been carried out on the energy sector since July 16, with losses exceeding $7.7 billion. According to him, Russia has changed its tactics and strategy by intensifying strikes on the economy to deplete the financial system and psychologically break citizens, aiming to make Kyiv more compliant in the negotiation process. At the same time, Ukrainian authorities claim that the Russian Federation intends to disable energy infrastructure and orchestrate a large-scale humanitarian crisis, choosing Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa as its main targets.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [РФ существенно изменила тактику ударов по энергосистеме Украины, - Шмыгаль](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/rf-suttevo-zminila-taktiku-udariv-energosistemi-1794255865.html) - Source: Shmyhal's statement on the comprehensive strategy, turbojet drones, MESH, AI, the critical situation in Kyiv and Dnipro, additional crews, and the strike on the Khmelnytskyi NPP substation.
- [Шмыгаль: Россия изменила тактику ударов по энергосистеме](https://biz.liga.net/energy/news/shmygal-rossiya-izmenila-taktiku-udarov-po-energosisteme) - Confirms tactical change: massive damage to power line supports and severing of lines.
- [Не только энергетика: Россия изменила тактику ударов по Украине, названы новые цели](https://glavred.info/economics/ne-tolko-energetika-rossiya-izmenila-taktiku-udarov-po-ukraine-nazvany-novye-celi-10807241.html) - Koretskyi's statement: 2,147 energy attacks since July 16, damages >$7.7 billion, strategy to drain the economy and force negotiations.
- [«Укрэнерго» сообщило о новой тактике ударов ВС РФ по энергосистеме Украины](https://life.ru/p/ukrenergo-soobschilo-o-novoy-taktike-udarov-vs-rf-po-energosisteme-ukrainy) - Confirms that Ukrenergo has acknowledged the change in tactics for strikes on energy infrastructure.

## FAQ

### What did Denys Shmyhal say about Russia's tactics?

Shmyhal stated that in the autumn, Russia shifted to a comprehensive strategy for destroying the Ukrainian energy grid, massively using turbojet drones in target-seeking mode with MESH networks and AI to increase strike accuracy.

### Which facilities are primarily under attack?

According to the Prime Minister, primary targets include key substations, switchgear, power lines, thermal/hydro plants, CHPs, and oil/gas infrastructure.

### Which regions are facing the most difficult situation?

The situation remains particularly difficult in Kyiv and Dnipro, where restoration efforts are ongoing 24/7.

### What measures are being taken to assist with recovery?

Additional repair crews are deployed, distributed generation is being developed, and contact centers have been coordinated to handle public inquiries.

### What figures did Prime Minister Koretskyi provide?

Serhiy Koretskyi reported that 2,147 attacks on energy infrastructure had occurred since July 16, resulting in over $7.7 billion in damages.