Winter is closing in, and Ukraine’s energy infrastructure faces its toughest battle yet. Russian Glide bombs have caused widespread damage in cities like Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, targeting residential areas and power grids.

The situation is dire: millions are enduring blackouts as temperatures plummet. “Energy is essential—we can’t stop, no matter how hard it gets,” said a determined Ukrainian energy worker.

Ukraine is urging the U.S. to allow long-range strikes on Russian territory to weaken Moscow’s ability to attack. While this strategy could shift the battlefield dynamics, it risks escalating tensions with nuclear-armed Russia.

European countries are stepping in to supply electricity, but their efforts are unlikely to fully replace what has been destroyed. With President Putin using energy as a weapon and global interest in the conflict waning, Ukraine faces a double challenge: survival through the winter and maintaining international support.

The next few months will define Ukraine’s capacity to endure in the face of relentless assault.