Ukraine braces for harsh winter as Russian missile strikes intensify

Ukraine’s leaders say the coming winter could pose the toughest challenge of the war, as Russian forces have stepped up missile strikes on cities in an effort to exploit Kyiv’s limited ballistic-missile interceptors. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has highlighted the need to keep energy facilities operational and protected for the heating season and recently appointed former Naftogaz chief Sergii Koretskyi as prime minister to help safeguard the population.

Drone manufacturer Fire Point CEO Iryna Terekh warned that the shortage of air-defence systems makes the threat “realistic” and that “winter is coming, obviously, and the last winter was very hard for Ukraine… this one would be no easier — and probably even harder.” She added that Ukraine is trying to accelerate a domestic anti-missile program that normally takes decades, a timeline that cannot be met in a few months.

Ukraine remains heavily dependent on U.S. Patriot PAC-3 missiles, while domestic firms scramble for alternatives. The United States has not yet decided whether to allow Ukraine to produce Patriot interceptors, a point highlighted by former U.S. ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker, who said Kyiv is better positioned than last winter but that Russia’s ability to sustain its campaign is narrowing.

Zelenskyy appealed to allies, stating that “all of our partners – above all our American partners, as well as our friends in Europe – will feel that real human lives depend on whether they help us.” The government reshuffle, including the new prime minister, is described by think-tank chairman Serhii Kuzan as aimed at improving coordination and preparing energy and security infrastructure for the cold weather.

Ukraine continues to seek additional funding from European partners, including the EU’s €90 billion support package, and is working to build reserves of heat and electricity for the winter months.