Russia Attacks Ukraine Energy System Hits Key Substation Power Plants; Massive Blackouts; Dobropilia (Alexander Mercouris)

Russia has struck the Kyivska electrical substation, the critical hinge joining Ukraine's western and eastern power grids, alongside the Tripilska thermal plant and a Kiev hydro station, triggering blackouts from Kiev all the way to the Donbass. Alexander explains why Russia spent years probing this target, how a global transformer shortage leaves Ukraine unable to repair it, and why Moscow's real aim is to hollow out Kiev rather than topple its government, while Dobropillia resistance collapses and Biletsky's Operation Vivaldi stalls before the rasputitsa. Is this the opening of the decisive campaign Russia has been preparing since October 2022?



Time Stamps:

00:00:00 Russia's massive overnight strike on Kiev
00:01:35 Ukraine's interception claims questioned
00:04:08 Iskander M and Zircon versus Patriot PAC 3
00:07:17 Target list: data center and Kiev power plants
00:10:16 Kyivska substation, the hinge of Ukraine's grid
00:16:18 Kinetic reconnaissance and the transformer shortage
00:18:50 Frankenstein hybrid systems and repair risks
00:22:44 Blackouts spread from Kiev to Donbass
00:24:27 Putin's order to target the energy system
00:27:26 Why Russia isn't seeking regime change in Kiev
00:30:45 Russia's real objective: hollowing out Kiev
00:33:56 Ukrainian command shakeup under strain
00:35:33 Russia's hardening stance since Anchorage
00:43:38 Built since October 2022: the industrial timeline
00:47:40 Dobropillia collapsing as Russia closes on Bilozerske
00:53:58 Operation Vivaldi: Biletsky's Lyman counteroffensive
01:04:33 Orikhiv supply road and the coming rasputitsa
01:08:10 Russia's economy and oil revenue boom
01:12:31 Tokayev praises Putin in Germany
01:15:54 Le Pen, Bardella and Europe's political crisis

[Posted at the SpookyWeather2 blog, October 2, 2026.]