In October, Russian missile strikes on Ukraine reached a 2.5-year high, with 270 missiles launched, marking a 46% increase from the previous month and the highest monthly total since early 2023, according to Ukrainian air force data. This intensified assault is aimed at crippling Ukraine’s energy grid, exacerbating blackouts and causing widespread distress among civilians as winter approaches. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned these actions as a strategy to instill chaos and psychological pressure on the population. In retaliation, Ukraine has targeted Russian oil depots to disrupt Moscow’s energy exports, underscoring the ongoing volatility in the conflict and the critical importance of energy infrastructure in modern warfare.