Zelensky’s adviser: Russia-Ukraine war could end in mutual destruction

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is escalating in an increasingly dangerous direction, as long-range attacks intensify and the threat to civilians and infrastructure grows.

Serhii Beskrestnov, an adviser on defense technology to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said that neither Russia nor Ukraine has the ability to win the war outright.

“No one will win this war,” said Beskrestnov, who is also known by the pseudonym “Flash.” He warned that continuing the conflict could leave both countries facing severe economic consequences and destroyed infrastructure.

According to the Ukrainian adviser, the deadlock on the front is shifting the confrontation increasingly toward urban centers and critical facilities. Both sides, he said, are expanding their capabilities for deep strikes, while air defense systems are struggling to cope with the growing number of missiles and drones.

The greatest concern is linked to the winter months and the possibility that Russian attacks could damage electricity networks, water supplies and heating systems in Kyiv.

Beskrestnov said Russia is increasing ballistic missile production and may have the capacity to carry out a sustained bombing campaign against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Such a development, he said, could trigger a severe humanitarian crisis in the capital, where millions of people live. He suggested that authorities plan in advance for the evacuation of the most vulnerable people, particularly the elderly, but clarified that this was his personal view and not an official announcement by the Ukrainian government.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that his country’s military has been ordered to prepare for massive attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities.

According to The Guardian, Ukraine, although concerned about protecting its infrastructure, is planning to expand drone attacks inside Russian territory.

Kyiv aims to significantly increase the pace of long-range attacks, from around 300 a day to 1,000, targeting military and economic facilities in Russia, Beskrestnov said.

He warned that Ukraine could also try to disrupt Russian civil air traffic. For this, he said, it would not be necessary to strike airports directly, as the mere appearance of drones in surrounding areas could be enough to force their temporary closure.

Another source of concern for Kyiv is the advancement of Russian military technologies.

According to Beskrestnov, Moscow is using jet-powered drones on a larger scale. These drones are faster than the models used previously.

He said that in August Russia used around 2,500 Shahed jet-powered drones, compared with around 1,500 in July. According to his claim, Moscow intends to expand production further over the coming year.

The Ukrainian adviser also raised concerns about the integration of artificial intelligence into Russian drones. Ukrainian investigations suggest that a drone used in an attack near Zaporizhzhia may have operated without traditional radio control, relying instead on autonomous technology.

If such technology is used widely, it could significantly reduce the effectiveness of Ukraine’s electronic warfare systems, which are based on jamming radio communications, Beskrestnov argued.

Air defense remains one of Kyiv’s main challenges. Ukraine is seeking more Patriot systems and missiles, considered among the primary means of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.

Beskrestnov said he did not know whether President Zelensky would be able to secure the necessary number of missiles from international partners before winter.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian companies are working on new jet-powered interceptors designed to counter faster Russian drones. However, these systems are not yet ready for mass production.