Russia is likely to intensify strikes on Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure in winter, aiming to inflict maximum damage on civilians, Colonel Ants Kiviselg, Head of the Intelligence Centre of the Estonian Defence Forces, has said. Source: Estonian public broadcaster ERR, as reported by European Pravda Details: Kiviselg's assessment is that the overall course of hostilities is unlikely to change significantly in the near future. Russian forces will continue to apply pressure along the entire front line while seeking local tactical gains. Advertisement: "Overall, Ukraine's defensive lines are holding, and there is no sign that the Russian Federation will achieve a major breakthrough in the coming weeks," he said. Frustrated by military setbacks, Russian propagandists are calling for strikes on Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure to cause maximum harm to the civilian population. Quote: "Irrespective of the current public outcry, this is a very likely possibility. First, these types of actions would follow established seasonal patterns of behaviour in the destruction of Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, and second, the Russians have increased capabilities to carry out these kinds of operations, as evidenced, for example, by the growing number of deep strike weapons they have available for attack." Details: Kiviselg emphasised that asymmetric Russian actions aimed at disrupting the stable operation of Ukraine's nuclear power plants must be regarded as extremely serious and dangerous. Quote: "The aim of such actions is to create a widespread diversion for the Ukrainian authorities, as well as for the international community that is supporting Ukraine. To prevent a large-scale nuclear accident and regional nuclear contamination, Ukraine would need to use all of its domestic resources and suspend its defence activities. It would also require extensive international humanitarian aid, the delivery of which would pose a very high security risk due to Russia's hostile actions." Background: The Wall Street Journal has reported that the United States will provide Ukraine with intelligence to enable long-range missile strikes on Russia's energy infrastructure. On 29 September, Sweden announced the allocation of nearly €100 million in additional humanitarian support to Ukraine ahead of the coming winter. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!