Ukraine gets Russian plan to cut power to three cities in a month

Ukraine has obtained a Russian plan for a large-scale strike on its energy infrastructure: under it, Moscow wants to cut Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa off from water, electricity and heating within a month. This was reported by Novinky.

Russia would need about 70 ballistic missiles, 720 long-range drones and 150 guided missiles to do it. It is unclear over what period this arsenal is meant to be used.

According to an analysis of Ukrainian Air Force data, on which a New York Times report is based, roughly that many ballistic missiles and drones break through Ukrainian air defences every month.

Moscow, according to this data, is convinced that a month of strikes can achieve what it has failed to do in four years: destroy the Ukrainian energy system. Russia's confidence is largely explained by a shortage of missiles for Patriot systems.

On Thursday, CNN reported that the Ukrainian army has run out of Patriot missiles, which makes the country far more vulnerable to Russian ballistic strikes. The problem is that such missiles are in short supply worldwide, and neither the US nor its European partners intend to hand over their stocks.

Ukraine is therefore asking its European allies at least for air-to-air missiles that can shoot down jet-powered drones, and for medium-range anti-aircraft systems, said Ukraine's ambassador to NATO, Alyona Hetmanchuk.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz