From December 2023 to May 2024, the Center for Global Studies "Strategy XXI" with the support of the NATO-Ukraine Platform on Countering Hybrid Warfare conducted a study "Russian tactics targeting Ukrainian critical energy infrastructure," which analyzed the enemy's tactics of targeting and destruction of Ukrainian CEI facilities, the nature and logic of the use of means of destruction in the period from the beginning of the full-scale invasion up to May 2024, the general plan of the enemy and the consequences for the United Power System of Ukraine.
The study focuses on:
- hybrid tactics of using energy resources as "energy weapons" against Ukraine and Moldova, which preceded the phase of a full-scale invasion in February 2022;
- analysis of schemes for targeting and capturing critical energy infrastructure at the strategic, operational and tactical levels after February 24, 2022 to May 2024;
- lessons learned from Ukraine's resistance to the Russian campaign of massive air attacks against CEI facilities and possible steps to increase the stability of Ukraine's energy system;
- recommendations on the preparation of energy systems of NATO member-states for potential hostile actions of the enemy.
The study in English is available for download in PDF format below.
This research used exclusively information from open sources and social media, as well as some high-level discussions and interviews conducted under Chatham House rules.The conclusions drawn in the study are solely the work of the Center's experts, and do not reflect the position of the state authorities of Ukraine, energy network operators, NATO or any institutions of NATO member countries.