Putin escalates strikes on Ukraine’s economy ahead of peace talks

Russia is escalating its air campaign against Ukraine's energy infrastructure and economy ahead of peace talks mediated by the US next week, with analysts saying the strikes are systematically aimed at breaking Ukraine's economic resilience. Russian missiles and drones have hit energy systems harder and earlier this year than in previous years, broadening targets to include industry, grain exports, and warehouses. A UN panel concluded Russia committed war crimes by intentionally attacking civilian infrastructure, and experts warn this winter will bring a worse humanitarian situation. Civilian deaths in Ukraine are at their highest since early in the war, with over 2,700 killed in 2026. Ukrainian steel plants have been forced to shut down, and roughly 40% of buildings in Kyiv lacked heating as of Saturday, with officials accusing Moscow of seeking to achieve through cold what it cannot on the battlefield.