In the picture above is the  Zmiiv Thermal Power Plant in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine which has been fully destroyed by Russian Forces.

What's happening?

On March 22nd Russian Forces specifically targeted the Zmiiv Thermal Power Plant in Ukraine's Kharkiv Oblast. According to Centrenergo one of Ukraine's energy companies, the thermal power plant sustained extensive damage leading to the destruction of the power plant.  This plant provided power to much of Ukraine's Kharkiv Oblast region including Kharkiv City. The destruction of this power plant has forced the Ukrainians to connect the area to power from other power facilities in other parts of Ukraine. This has not been the only power plant targeted by Russian Forces. Russia has also targeted the Kaniv Hydroelectric Power Plant and the Dnister Hydroelectric Power Plant in recent days causing damage to both power plants. 

Russia's new strategy

It appears that the Russian Ministry of Defense is taking a new approach to damaging Ukraine's electric grid, Instead of causing limited damage that can easily be fixed Russian Forces are now tasked with collapsing Ukraine's power grid which if Russian Forces are successful could have major ramifications for Ukraine's fight against Russia.  Within recent weeks Russia has made a clear change in its strategy against Ukraine. The destruction of the Zmiiv Thermal Power Plant points to a change in Russia's strategy. The power plant has been well within range of Russian Forces for more than two years but they didn't destroy the facility until now.  Why now?  Russian Leadership has likely made a calculated assessment that the cost of losing the war in Ukraine would be higher than having to possibly fix these facilities at some point if that territory ends up under Russian occupation at some point. Ukraine's power grid is very fragile with 50% of the electric grid damaged which means the destruction of any of Ukraine's power production facilities will have drastic consequences for Ukraine's Government and Russia is well aware of this. Modern society is dependent on a functioning power grid and having a power grid collapse would cause significant problems for Ukraine which could significantly benefit Russian Forces on the battlefield, especially in Eastern Ukraine. 

Bleak Outlook for Ukraine

The outlook for Kyiv is looking bad as Russian Forces are making progress in Eastern Ukraine with limited offensive operations taking place across Eastern Ukraine and with American aid for Ukraine being held up in the United States Congress. Ukraine is running out of air defense ammunition and this is evident from Russia's successful destruction of the Zmiiv Thermal Power Plant in Kharkiv Oblast and Russia's successful attacks on other Ukrainian power plants across Ukraine. Ukraine is struggling to fend off Russian Aerial attacks on its energy infrastructure. Russia knows Ukraine is running low on air defense ammunition and sees a perfect "window of opportunity" to cause significant damage to Ukraine's energy infrastructure. If Russian Forces are successful this could severely hamper Ukrainian efforts to defend itself from Russian Offensive operations and could help Russia achieve success on the battlefield paving the way for a possible Russian victory in Ukraine.