Ukraine presidential advisor warns of 'war of cities' and winter strikes on Kyiv
Serhii Beskrestnov (call sign "Flash"), an advisor to President Zelensky on technological matters, warned in a Guardian interview published on 6 September that Russia could carry out massive winter strikes on Kyiv's energy, water, and heating infrastructure using high-speed ballistic missiles. He said the conflict has become a "war of cities, a war of infrastructure" in which neither side can fully win, and expressed doubt that Ukraine can secure enough Patriot interceptors from allies to prevent a humanitarian crisis in the capital.
Key points
- Serhii Beskrestnov (Flash), a presidential technology advisor, gave the interview to The Guardian, published 6 September.
- He described the conflict as a 'war of cities, a war of infrastructure' in which neither side can achieve full victory.
- He warned Russia could use high-speed ballistic missiles — produced at over 100 per month — to strike Kyiv's power, water, and heating systems this winter.
- He said consequences for Kyiv could affect 2–3 million people and amount to a catastrophe.
- He suggested authorities consider evacuating elderly residents in case the capital's energy supply is knocked out.
- He said Ukraine is critically short of Patriot interceptors and was 'not sure' whether Zelensky can obtain enough from allies.
- On the night of 5–6 September, Russia launched 108 strike drones at Ukraine; Ukrainian drones struck the Ryazan oil refinery the same night.
Why it matters
The interview frames the coming winter as a potential humanitarian and infrastructure crisis for up to 2–3 million Kyiv residents and highlights Ukraine's shortage of Patriot interceptors as a critical gap in defending against Russian ballistic missile strikes. By characterizing the conflict as a long-range 'war of cities and infrastructure' with no decisive military victory in sight, it also signals an internal debate within Ukrainian advisory circles about the feasibility of continued fighting and the need for contingency planning such as civilian evacuations.
What happened
In an interview with The Guardian published on 6 September, Serhii Beskrestnov (call sign "Flash"), an advisor to President Zelensky on technological matters, painted a stark picture of the coming months of the war. He said Ukraine and Russia are increasingly striking each other with long-range weapons, a pattern he described as a "war of cities, a war of infrastructure." He argued that neither side can achieve full victory, because both countries' economies and infrastructure will be destroyed regardless of the outcome, and that Ukraine has offered Russia a chance to stop the war but Russia has refused.
Beskrestnov warned that this winter Russia could carry out prolonged strikes on Kyiv's electricity, water, and heating systems, noting that Russia is producing high-speed ballistic missiles at a rate of more than 100 per month. He stressed that Kyiv is home to 2–3 million people and that Russia understands such strikes could amount to a catastrophe. He urged the capital's authorities to consider evacuating elderly residents in advance and clarified that the suggestion is not an official statement. He also said Ukraine is critically short of Patriot interceptors — the primary means of defense against ballistic missiles — and that he is "not sure" whether Zelensky can secure enough from allies to prevent a winter crisis.
The warning came against an active backdrop. On the night of 5–6 September, Russia launched 108 strike drones at Ukraine, including Shahed, Gerbera, Parodia decoys, and S8000 Banderole drones, of which 82 plus six S8000 drones were reported downed or suppressed by 09:30. During the same night, Ukrainian drones struck the Ryazan oil refinery in Russia. Earlier in the week, Russian statements indicated preparations for massive strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities, and the Russian Ministry of Defense published imagery of strike drones bearing the inscription "Like snow on your head."
How Ukrainian sources describe it
All three sources reporting on the interview are Ukrainian-language media outlets — NV, hromadske, and ZN.UA. They centre Beskrestnov's warnings about winter strikes on Kyiv and Ukraine's Patriot interceptor shortage, emphasizing the domestic implications for capital residents and the urgency of securing Western air-defense supplies. One outlet also highlighted Beskrestnov's personal reaction to the dismissal of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov — whom he called "regrettable" while asking that the issue not be mixed with politics — treating it as a domestic political subplot running alongside the security warnings.
Background
Beskrestnov previously served as an advisor to former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and became a presidential advisor on technological defense directions after Fedorov's dismissal. President Zelensky stated the previous month that he wanted to secure 300 Patriot interceptors for the winter. A Russian drone attacked Beskrestnov's home in April. In May 2026, a Russian strike destroyed a multi-storey building in Kyiv. Earlier in the week, Russian statements indicated preparations for massive strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities, and the Russian Ministry of Defense published imagery of strike drones with the inscription "Like snow on your head."