Putin escalates attacks on Ukraine's economy ahead of peace talks

CNN reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin is intensifying efforts to destroy Ukraine's economy ahead of new peace negotiations, shifting strategy amid battlefield setbacks. Russian missiles and drones are striking Ukraine's energy infrastructure more intensely and earlier than in previous years, with an expanded target list, according to analysts cited by CNN. The air campaign is "clearly aimed at destroying Ukraine's economy," said John Lowe of the New Eurasian Strategies Centre, who noted Putin concluded he cannot win in Donbas through force alone. Christian Vlas of ACLED warned Ukraine faces an extremely severe humanitarian situation this winter, much earlier than last year. Attacks have targeted substations connecting nuclear plants to Kyiv, with 36 ballistic missiles fired at the capital region.