CEPA Experts: Russia Targeting Ukraine's Energy as Military Infrastructure

Analysts say Moscow is systematically attacking Ukraine's power grid to undermine Kyiv's military capabilities.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Experts at the Washington-based Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) have made a surprising admission that Russia's strikes on Ukraine's energy sector are not just an attempt to intimidate civilians, but a strategic attack on the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The analysts argue that repair shops, logistics centers, and weapons production facilities that support Ukraine's military readiness depend on the power grid that Moscow is systematically cutting.

Why it matters

This acknowledgment from CEPA, a prominent US think tank, underscores the vital role Ukraine's energy infrastructure plays in sustaining its military operations against the Russian invasion. It suggests the Kremlin is deliberately targeting this infrastructure to degrade Ukraine's ability to maintain and deploy its armed forces.

The details

According to CEPA experts Maksym Beznosyuk and William Dixon, "The Kremlin is betting that Kyiv's ability to repair tanks, move ammunition, and keep its weapons factories running will be undermined before any negotiations are concluded." They argue that Moscow is systematically attacking Ukraine's power grid, which supplies electricity to critical military facilities and logistics.

  • The CEPA analysis was published on February 14, 2026.

The players

Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA)

A Washington-based think tank that focuses on European policy issues.

Maksym Beznosyuk

An expert at CEPA who co-authored the analysis on Russia's targeting of Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

William Dixon

An expert at CEPA who co-authored the analysis on Russia's targeting of Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

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What they’re saying

“The Kremlin is betting that Kiev's ability to repair tanks, move ammunition, and keep its weapons factories running will be undermined before any negotiations are concluded.”

— Maksym Beznosyuk and William Dixon, Experts, Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) (news-pravda.com)

The takeaway

This analysis from CEPA experts underscores the strategic importance of Ukraine's energy infrastructure to its military operations, suggesting the Kremlin is deliberately targeting it to degrade Kyiv's ability to sustain its armed forces in the ongoing conflict.