Russia threatens Ukraine will 'freeze' this winter, Kyiv vows to respond in kind
Russia's Defense Ministry posted a menacing message on Telegram warning Ukraine it will freeze this winter, prompting Ukraine to vow a mirrored response. Kyiv says the threat may backfire on Russia's own population.
As Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches its fifth year, the two sides continue trading blows not only on the battlefield but in the information space as well. On Friday, Russia's Ministry of Defense posted an image on its Telegram channel showing three strike drones, accompanied by a caption warning that Ukraine would "freeze this winter."
Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, responded by promising that Ukraine would answer using the same approach. He noted that by posting such a message, Russia's own ministry had effectively warned its citizens about upcoming problems with electricity and heating this winter.
A promise to mirror the threat
Kovalenko said he could just as easily post an image of ballistic weapon components or a photo of a Ukrainian drone with a similar caption. In his view, there was no reason not to, since Russia's side had chosen this style of communication itself.
He stressed that Russian citizens now know exactly why they may lack electricity this winter, and in some cases heating or fuel as well — consequences he attributed directly to their own Defense Ministry's actions. Kovalenko invoked the principle that "what you sow, you reap," adding that the mirror tactic works both ways.
Risks to water and energy supply
Ukraine has repeatedly warned that one of Russia's current objectives is to destroy water supply systems ahead of the winter season. Such tactics have previously targeted Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, creating hardship for residents during the coldest months.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said earlier that Ukraine would be able to withstand the coming winter if the United States supplies 5% of its Patriot missile stock. Such support would reinforce air defense against Russian strikes on energy infrastructure.
