Zelensky warns of possible new Russian mass strike on Ukraine's infrastructure
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on November 6 that intelligence had warned of a possible new Russian mass attack on Ukraine's energy sector, bridges across the Dnipro River, and civilian infrastructure. Ukraine's Air Force and Armed Forces are preparing for a possible strike, while the government is expanding recovery efforts and seeking additional Patriot interceptors and energy equipment from partners.
Key points
- Intelligence warned of a possible new Russian mass attack on Ukraine.
- Potential targets include energy infrastructure, Dnipro bridges and civilian facilities.
- Ukraine needs additional Patriot interceptor missiles and asked partners not to delay deliveries.
- Air Force and Armed Forces units are preparing to defend against a possible attack.
- Russia's November 3 attack affected power generation and transmission infrastructure in nine regions.
- DTEK reported generation shutdowns at three of its thermal power plants.
- Damage in Zhytomyr worsened electricity and water supply conditions in Kyiv.
Why it matters
Another strike could worsen electricity and water shortages while damaging transport links and other civilian infrastructure. Ukraine is increasing repair capacity, involving the military in recovery work and seeking additional Patriot interceptors and energy equipment. Partners have also arranged support packages, including ammunition for F-16 fighters and equipment for infrastructure repairs and reserves.
What happened
Zelensky said intelligence had detected preparations for a possible new Russian mass attack targeting energy infrastructure, bridges across the Dnipro River and civilian facilities. The warning followed Russia's large-scale November 3 attack, which used ballistic and winged missiles and drones and hit power infrastructure in nine regions. DTEK said generation had stopped at three of its thermal power plants, while Ukrainian air defenses reported 309 targets downed or suppressed overnight and Ukrainian aviation destroyed 62 Shahed-type drones from the evening of November 5 until Zelensky's address.
The government decided to expand repair crews and involve the Armed Forces in recovery work. It will also pay infrastructure-repair specialists an additional 30,000 hryvnias per month. Ukraine has arranged energy equipment deliveries from Germany, Spain, Slovakia and other partners and agreed on additional support, including ammunition for F-16 fighter jets.
Zelensky asked partners not to delay additional Patriot interceptors, saying the United States could provide particular help. He also said the NB8 countries were aware of Ukraine's pre-winter needs and that Ukraine expected their support. In a separate announcement, he said he had spoken with the team responsible for long-range strikes and previewed corresponding strikes on Russia.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting centers on Zelensky's warning, immediate defensive preparations by the Air Force and Armed Forces, and the effects of earlier attacks on energy infrastructure. It also highlights the shortage of electricity and water in Kyiv, recovery measures, requests for Patriot interceptors and energy equipment, expected support from NB8 countries, continued diplomacy, and preparations for possible personnel decisions in the Armed Forces.
How international sources describe it
International coverage, represented by Kirill Budanov's CBS News interview, focuses on the expected domestic consequences of attacks on critical infrastructure. Budanov said Russia seeks to fuel social discontent and street protests and push Ukraine to abandon its national interests, while maintaining his assessment that the strategy will fail and Ukraine will survive the winter.
Background
Russia's November 3 mass attack targeted Kyiv, Kharkiv, Vinnytsia and Dnipropetrovsk regions with ballistic and winged missiles and drones. It affected electricity generation and transmission infrastructure in nine regions. Many regions subsequently had two to four rounds of daily outages, exceeding 12 hours without electricity. Kyiv had no stable electricity supply from late October, and damage to an energy facility in Zhytomyr further disrupted electricity and water services, prompting Kyivvodokanal to use generators where possible. On October 28, Ukrainian military intelligence reported that Russia had fitted Geran-4 drones with a new combat unit capable of striking power-line and bridge supports.