'Winter is coming': Ukraine fears its toughest test since Russia's full-scale invasion
📰 source: cnbc_topnews · 💼 business
ukraine is bracing for what officials and experts call its toughest test since russia's full-scale invasion: a winter assault on energy infrastructure. president zelenskyy has stressed since april that energy and infrastructure must be fully operational and protected for the heating season. last month he confirmed sergii koretskyi as new prime minister, the former naftogaz ceo, to help protect lives and get through the winter.
russian forces have increased missile strikes on ukrainian cities recently, likely exploiting kyiv's shortage of ballistic missile interceptors. ukraine relies heavily on american patriot pac-3 systems, but domestic drone makers like fire point are trying to accelerate antimissile technology. ceo iryna terekh told cnbc that winter will be 'no easier — and probably even harder.' she noted programs that usually take 20-30 years are being squeezed into a few years.
meanwhile, president trump said he hasn't decided whether to allow ukraine to produce patriot missiles. zelenskyy cited a north korean missile attack on radushne, calling air defense a key priority. ukraine is strengthening energy defenses, building reserves, and seeking eu funding from a 90 billion euro package. analysts like kurt volker believe putin will keep fighting through winter but face hard limits by spring. ukraine still needs western support to withstand the assault.
why it matters: ukraine's ability to survive winter hinges on western air defense support, with delays risking energy collapse and shifting war momentum.
source: cnbc_topnews
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