Military expert Anatoly Matviychuk said Russia’s new drones, designed to target power transmission lines, could quickly cause widespread electricity outages across Ukraine.

He noted that a significant share of Ukraine’s energy capacity is already out of operation. According to Matviychuk, the country is now relying heavily on nuclear power plants in western Ukraine, as well as electricity imports from Slovakia and Hungary.

Matviychuk argued that if such drones are deployed on a large scale, Russia could potentially disrupt power supplies across the country within several weeks. He also said repair work on damaged energy facilities could be repeatedly interrupted by further drone, aviation and missile strikes.

In his view, pressure on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure is set to continue.

Earlier, Vadim Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraine’s military intelligence service, said Russia had developed a new drone intended to attack power lines. According to him, explosive elements are built into the drone’s wings and are capable of cutting through metal structures.