Russia's Defense Ministry Threatens 'Massive Strikes' on Ukraine's Energy Grid

Russia's Defense Ministry announced on August 30 that it is preparing 'massive strikes' against Ukraine's energy infrastructure ahead of winter, framing the threat as retaliation for Ukraine's escalating drone campaign against Russian oil refineries and logistics hubs — which Moscow characterized as attacks on 'civilian infrastructure.' The warning came as Ukrainian forces struck Russia's Kirishi refinery, the country's second-largest, processing roughly 20 million tonnes of crude annually, and followed a month in which Ukraine hit Russian refineries at least 21 times, a monthly record. Overnight into August 30, Russia launched 130 attack drones and 2 Iskander-M ballistic missiles at Ukraine, the third consecutive night of sustained bombardment.