# Russia's energy terror against Ukraine - with Oksana Ishchuk

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/explaining-ukraine-851863/russia-s-energy-terror-against-ukraine-with-oksana-ishchuk
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/explaining-ukraine-851863/russia-s-energy-terror-against-ukraine-with-oksana-ishchuk.md
Podcast: [Explaining Ukraine](https://stenobird.com/podcast/explaining-ukraine-851863)
Published: 2026-02-10T10:49:17+00:00
Episode link: https://soundcloud.com/user-579586558/ep-409
Audio file: https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/2263539743-user-579586558-ep-409.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/explaining-ukraine-851863/episodes/russia-s-energy-terror-against-ukraine-with-oksana-ishchuk
Duration seconds: 2365

## Resource

During this record-breaking cold winter, millions of Ukrainians are regularly left without electricity, water, or heat as temperatures plummet to -20°C and below. Does Russia intend to make life in Ukraine unlivable? Can the country’s civilian infrastructure continue to withstand such a massive, relentless assault? And what are the alternatives for the future? *** Explaining Ukraine is a podcast by UkraineWorld, an English-language media outlet covering Ukraine. Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko—Ukrainian philosopher, editor-in-chief of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine. Guest: Oksana Ishchuk, an analyst specializing in international and energy relations at the Centre for Global Studies "Strategy XXI," a prominent Ukrainian think tank. *** Listen on various platforms: https://li.sten.to/explaining-ukraine UkraineWorld: https://ukraineworld.org/en *** SUPPORT: You can support our work on https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld Your help is crucial, as we rely heavily on crowdfunding. You can also contribute to our volunteer missions to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we deliver aid to both soldiers and civilians. Donations are welcome via PayPal at: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com. *** CONTENTS: 02:05 — The real goal behind Russian energy strikes on Ukraine 05:10 — Is a "total blackout" in Ukraine possible? 09:00 — A Soviet-built system: pros and cons 12:20 — Why Ukrainian cities go dark all at once 14:40 — Why every citizen must prepare for the next winter now 16:40 — The reason Russia succeeded only this winter 18:30 — Fragmenting the grid: Russia’s new energy tactics 19:55 — Why can’t Ukraine defend every power plant? 22:30 — The terrifying reality of Russia’s "indirect" nuclear terrorism 27:40 — Rebuilding the grid for a long war 32:10 — Why sanctions policy should b…

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