Russia plans intensified winter strikes on Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa to isolate cities

Russia plans to intensify strikes on Ukraine's largest cities, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa, aiming to isolate them from the rest of the country during winter, according to the Financial Times. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian and European officials cited by FT said Lviv, a key logistics hub near the Polish border, is also part of the plan. Moscow intends to hit nuclear facilities to disconnect them from the power grid and pressure Kyiv to concede by early 2027. Officials said Russia also seeks to create a new refugee flow to the EU, straining countries with rising anti-migrant sentiment. Zelenskyy stated Putin ordered an end to previous strike restrictions in September, with attacks targeting schools, hospitals, and data centers to intimidate civilians.