Ukraine's Energy Crisis Raises Risk of Economic Collapse Before Military Defeat

In a discussion hosted by Rachel Blevins (@RachelBlevins), international relations analyst Mark Sleboda argues that Ukraine is facing an impending economic and political collapse, which could happen before a decisive military defeat on the battlefield. This assessment focuses on the worsening state of Ukraine's energy infrastructure following ongoing Russian drone and missile strikes.

Sleboda points out that despite a brief, U.S.-brokered ceasefire on energy strikes due to harsh winter weather, Russia has resumed major attacks targeting electrical substations and the national grid. These strikes aim to cripple military logistics, which rely heavily on electric rail, and to disable Ukraine's military-industrial workshops. The analyst highlights that even during the pause, the grid experienced widespread blackouts, indicating it is already so damaged it cannot meet peak demand, leaving civilians without heat, water, or power in freezing conditions.

The analysis links the energy crisis directly to the course of the war. With Ukraine's thermal power plants largely destroyed, the country depends on a few remaining nuclear plants. By targeting the substations that distribute this power, Russia is systematically undermining this last major energy source. Sleboda suggests that this economic and civilian pressure could force a political surrender in Kyiv more quickly than a complete military collapse along the front lines, where Ukrainian forces are reportedly severely undermanned but still resisting. The situation underscores the strategic use of infrastructure attacks in modern warfare.

Source: Ukraine Headed for Economic COLLAPSE Before Military DEFEAT, amid Energy CRISIS | Mark Sleboda (Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a9L5v6pcPk)