(Dan Tri) – Britain said Russia has built up a significant arsenal of cruise missiles that Moscow will likely use to destroy Ukraine’s important infrastructure this winter.

Russian warship launched Kalibr missiles in the Black Sea aimed at Ukraine (Photo: EPA).

According to British defense intelligence, from November 18 to November 19, Russia launched about 50 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to attack Shahed, mainly towards Kiev.

`One of Russia’s goals may be to weaken Ukraine’s air defense system, shaping the battle space ahead of any coordinated winter offensive campaign against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure

In addition, Russia is currently restricting cruise missile launches from its heavy bomber fleet for nearly two months, to allow Moscow to stockpile large quantities of these missiles.

`Russia is likely to use these missiles if it repeats last year’s tactic of destroying Ukraine’s critical national infrastructure,` British defense intelligence added.

Russia used cruise missiles and drones to attack Ukraine’s important infrastructure in a special military campaign that lasted more than a year.

Deploying long-range bombers to launch cruise missiles is considered Moscow’s main tactic in precision strikes, even if Russia can still use other methods such as using surface launchers.

However, according to the British Ministry of Defense, Russia needs to have pauses to store and refill its missile warehouse.

This agency believes that Moscow needs to stockpile cruise missiles for a large-scale raid campaign in winter to attack Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

That was the strategy Russia adopted last winter.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on November 12 warned the people of this country to prepare for a new wave of Russian air strikes on Kiev’s infrastructure as winter approaches.

Last winter, Russia launched waves of attacks on power plants and facilities related to Ukraine’s energy grid, causing widespread power outages.

Ukrainian officials say Russia has attacked Ukrainian infrastructure at least 60 times in recent weeks, a sign that an offensive campaign may be underway.

Spokesperson of the Army Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), Volodymyr Fitio, stated on November 19 that Kiev’s main task `is to ensure that everything that happens now is beneficial to the Forces.`

According to the spokesman, special efforts are being made to disrupt logistics routes, preventing Russian forces from transporting weapons, food and other goods necessary for the military campaign in Ukraine.

He also confirmed that operations to eliminate Russian artillery, infantry and bunkers will continue.