Russian missile attacks on Ukraine surged to a three-year high in February, with a 113% increase targeting energy infrastructure and worsening the country’s severe winter crisis.

KYIV: Russian forces launched 288 missiles at Ukraine in February, marking the highest monthly total since at least the beginning of 2023 according to an AFP analysis of Ukrainian air force data.

This figure represents an increase of approximately 113% compared to the 135 missiles launched in January, surpassing the previous record of 270 missiles set in October 2025.

The overnight strikes have particularly targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure for a fourth consecutive winter, a strategy Kyiv and its allies say is aimed at weakening the civilian population.

As the harshest winter in years grips the country, heating and power outages have plunged hundreds of thousands into cold and darkness, sparking the most dire energy crisis since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

Rolling power cuts remain in place across Ukraine to mitigate electricity shortages caused by the sustained attacks.

In 2024, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued arrest warrants for top Russian army officials for the war crime of causing excessive harm to civilians by striking Ukrainian energy sites.

Russia also launched 5,059 long-range drones during its nighttime assaults in February, an increase of around 13% compared to the previous month.

In retaliation, Kyiv regularly sends its own drones to strike Russian oil depots and refineries in an attempt to cut off the key fossil fuel revenues financing the Kremlin’s war effort.

 The Sun Malaysia