Russian Advances in Donetsk and Ukraine's Energy Sector Struggles Highlight Rising Winter Tensions

Ukraine's military forces confirmed a strike on the Stalnoi Kon linear production dispatch station, an oil depot located in Russia's Oryol Oblast, on the night of 13-14 December. The facility, described as one of the largest oil product terminals in the area, sustained significant damage, causing a large fire. The General Staff noted that the station is part of Russia's military-industrial complex, supplying oil products to the Russian army. Earlier, social media reports mentioned explosions in the region.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's air defense downed 58 out of 132 Russian attack drones launched during the same night. Of the remaining drones, 72 disappeared from radar, and two returned to Russian territory. The drones originated from Kursk, Oryol, Bryansk, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk, prompting air defense responses in multiple Ukrainian regions, including Kyiv, Cherkasy, Odesa, and Kharkiv oblasts.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assessed that recent Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure are part of a broader strategy aimed at pressuring Ukraine and the West during the winter. Between 12-13 December, Russia executed the largest series of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine since the start of its full-scale invasion. Ukrainian authorities reported widespread damage to critical infrastructure and energy facilities in Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv, and other regions, with DTEK confirming serious harm to thermal power plants. Increased power outages were imposed across the country.

The strikes also affected Ukraine's nuclear energy sector, with five of the nine reactors on Ukraine-controlled territory reducing output due to the attacks. Three reactors returned to full capacity on 13 December, while two remain operating at limited...