Winter As A Weapon for RussiaDuring the first winter of the war in 2022, Russia began systematically targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure following the expulsion of its forces from large areas around Kharkiv and Kherson. Every Winter Has Changed the WarThe winter of 2022-2023 saw the front line largely stabilize following Ukraine’s successful counteroffensives. During the winter that followed, Russia continued to strike Ukraine’s energy sector while conserving its missile stockpiles. Rather than focusing on Ukraine’s power plants, Russia began targeting distribution substations that deliver electricity to towns and cities. Russian forces are deploying tactics that make defending Ukrainian energy infrastructure even more difficult.