Russia claims it will retaliate against Ukraine's energy facilities.

According to a report by Reference News Network on September 2, the Russian newspaper "Komsomolskaya Pravda" reported on August 30 that Russian missile and drone forces have begun preparations to strike Ukrainian energy facilities. On August 30, the Russian Ministry of Defense issued this unprecedented warning. At the time of the statement, Russian "Geranium" jet drones launched the most intense multi-round strikes on military targets in Kyiv and surrounding areas to date.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated in its announcement: "According to the received instructions, the Russian Armed Forces have begun preparations for intensive strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities in response to the Kyiv regime's ongoing attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure and fuel energy complex."

Reports indicate that the city of Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast have been subjected to sustained and intense bombardment for several days. Explosions of munitions stored in residential areas have resulted in civilian casualties.

Analysts point out that this warning from the Russian military is significant. Military journalist Podubny stated that this announcement was made as winter approaches. He noted that preliminary assessments of the condition of Ukraine's energy system indicate that almost all thermal power plants in Ukraine are damaged or shut down to varying degrees, and substations used for transmitting power from nuclear power plants are facing similar situations.

Therefore, he concluded that the "energy war" initiated by Zelensky has dragged Ukraine into a systemic crisis.

According to a report by Reuters in London on August 31, Russian local officials stated that Belgorod Oblast, adjacent to the Ukrainian border, was hit by a missile attack on the 30th, resulting in two deaths and 16 injuries.

Reports indicate that a senior official in Belgorod Oblast said on the Telegram social platform that Ukraine attacked a commercial facility in the city, which also caused seven warehouses to catch fire. The Russian online retailer Ozon also stated that a logistics center and sorting facility in Belgorod were attacked and caught fire, resulting in injuries.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian sources claimed that on the 28th, Russian drones attacked an ammunition depot near Kyiv, causing explosions and resulting in multiple deaths. (Translated by He Yingjun)