Russia Begins Winter Campaign with Intensified Strikes on Ukrainian Infrastructure

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced an escalation of strikes on critical infrastructure across Ukraine, including Kyiv City and Oblast, starting October 4. This action initiates Russia's Fall-Winter 2026-2027 strike campaign, which the MoD attributes to alleged Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian targets. Analysts suggest this strategy aims to pressure Ukraine into surrender by exacerbating civilian hardship, following recent Ukrainian battlefield successes.