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According to analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), during the massive combined Russian attack on the night of February 21–22, the Kremlin may have shifted the focus of strikes from Ukraine’s energy infrastructure to water and railway systems.
Details of the mass attack
The Ukrainian Air Force reports that Russia launched a total of 347 missiles and drones overnight, including:
297 attack drones of various types, approximately 200 of which were Shahed drones;
50 missiles, including hypersonic Zircons, ballistic Iskander-M/S-400, cruise Kh-101, Iskander-K, and Kh-59/Kh-69.
Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted 274 drones and 33 missiles, successfully shooting down almost all Kh-101 cruise missiles and all Iskander-K and Kh-59/Kh-69 missiles.
Shift in Russian targeting
ISW analysts note that Russia appears to have shifted its strategy from destroying Ukraine’s energy systems to striking logistical targets, particularly railways and water supply networks. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that these logistics sites were the main focus during the attack.
Analysts also warn that Russia may continue to combine these strikes with attacks aimed at degrading Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
ISW assessment
Experts suggest that this change in targeting reflects a strategic adaptation after previous attempts to destroy Ukraine’s energy systems during the winter. While logistics and critical infrastructure are now prioritized, energy targets are still likely to remain part of Russia’s combined strike strategy.
Zelensky previously noted that during the so-called "energy ceasefire," Russian forces had already begun reorienting attacks toward logistics rather than purely energy targets.
