Russia’s latest wave of attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid marks a dangerous turning point in the war and carries serious consequences for global stability and American national security. Over the past week, Russia launched more than 650 drones and 50 missiles in a single coordinated assault, targeting Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure. The strikes knocked out power across all regions of the country and killed at least two civilians. Ukrainian officials have confirmed widespread blackouts and power restrictions that are crippling the country as winter approaches.
This is not the first time Russia has used its military to cripple basic services in Ukraine, but the scale and precision of this latest attack show a clear strategy: make Ukraine unlivable, weaken its ability to fight, and pressure its allies—including the United States—into reducing support. For Americans, this development is not just another chapter in a faraway war. It has real implications for our national security, global energy markets, and the ongoing struggle between freedom and authoritarianism.
Russia’s use of drones and missiles to target civilian infrastructure is part of a broader pattern. Since the beginning of the conflict, Moscow has tried to break the will of the Ukrainian people by turning off the lights and heat in their homes. These attacks are not aimed at military targets; they are aimed at civilians. This strategy violates the rules of war and shows that the Kremlin is willing to use any means necessary to achieve its goals.
The timing is also important. These strikes come as winter approaches, when temperatures in Ukraine can fall well below freezing. Without power, millions of Ukrainians could be left without heat, water, or medical care. This creates the risk of a new humanitarian crisis in Europe—one that could send another wave of refugees into NATO countries and strain U.S. allies already stretched thin.
From a national security standpoint, this escalation raises a key question: What is Russia’s endgame—and how far are they willing to go? If Moscow succeeds in pushing Ukraine into collapse, it would not stop there. Russia has made clear that it views NATO as an obstacle to its ambitions. A weakened and fragmented Ukraine would leave NATO’s eastern flank exposed, especially countries like Poland, Romania, and the Baltic states. These are American allies under the NATO treaty, and if attacked, the United States would be obligated to respond.
It’s also worth looking at the technology behind these attacks. Russia’s use of hundreds of drones in a single campaign shows that it has built up a large stockpile of low-cost, effective weapons—many likely sourced through partnerships with Iran and China. This growing cooperation between authoritarian regimes should alarm every American. The more these regimes work together, the more they can challenge the United States and our allies, not just in Europe but also in the Pacific and the Middle East.
Energy markets are another area where Americans could feel the impact. Ukraine is a key transit country for natural gas, and attacks on energy infrastructure could disrupt supplies to Europe. Any instability in global energy markets risks higher prices for American families, especially at a time when energy independence is under constant threat from foreign actors and misguided domestic policies of past administrations.
The Biden administration’s weakness on the world stage over the past four years only encouraged this behavior. But under President Trump’s leadership, America is once again showing strength. The President has made it clear that the United States stands with its allies and will not allow authoritarian powers to redraw borders by force. But this moment requires more than words. It requires a clear-eyed strategy that supports our partners while defending our own interests.
In the end, this latest Russian assault is not just about Ukraine. It is about whether free nations will stand together against tyranny. It is about whether America is willing to confront growing threats abroad before they reach our doorstep. And it is about defending the values that have made this country strong—liberty, sovereignty, and the rule of law.
We cannot afford to look away.