Betting on zero: Ukraine braces for Putin's new attempt to plunge it into darkness, but this time it's prepared
During the previous winter, Putin's forces nearly depleted the entire stock of guided missiles, aiming to cripple Ukraine's energy system and coerce the remaining peaceful residents, deprived of electricity and warmth, to push official Kyiv into negotiations. The campaign achieved limited success: there were significant electricity shortages, but the avoidance of a humanitarian catastrophe and the unbroken moral spirit of Ukrainians marked its limitations.