US think tank: Russia seeks Ukraine winter surrender

Russian forces have launched massive strikes against energy facilities in Kyiv. A US think tank released an analysis on Wednesday saying they may be trying to force Ukraine to surrender this winter.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on social media on Wednesday that nearly 190 drones and ballistic missiles were used in the strikes on Tuesday and the following day. He said energy and infrastructure facilities were the targets.

Ukraine's state-run power company released photos of damage to a power plant and accused Russian forces of trying to leave Ukrainians without electricity and heat.

The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War on Wednesday pointed out that the attacks come just ahead of winter. It suggests that the strikes are aimed at "degrading Ukraine's energy security" and forcing surrender during that time.

However, Ukraine is ramping up its defense capabilities. It has agreed with Germany to jointly produce high-tech drones.

A joint-venture company was established this year, backed by the governments of the two countries. The firm started production at a factory in southern Germany in September.

The new drones that they developed have varying abilities, including one capable of long-range attacks and another that can strike vehicles.

Lorenz Meier is the co-founder and CEO of Auterion, one of the companies involved in the joint venture. He said, "The leading technology in terms of drones is coming out of Ukraine right now, and so it is absolutely crucial to partner with Ukrainian firms."

He added that they will produce at least 5,000 of the aircraft over the next year.