Soviet-era urban design emphasizes centralized provision of utilities, notably heating, via extensive networks of interconnected heating plants and ductwork that cover entire districts. In the current conflict, Russian forces have repeatedly targeted these plants, leading to loss of heat for thousands of residents in areas under occupation. The design framework of the network means that a single plant outage can shut off heating for a large swathe of the city, thereby increasing the reliance of civilians on those centralized facilities and amplifying the impact of each strike._2_The strategic targeting of heating plants exploits the historical planning choices that left urban populations heavily dependent on a single source of warmth. Each directive to shut down, or damage, a plant has a direct and measurable effect: households lose programmable temperature control, individuals without alternative heating must resort to makeshift arrangements, and emergency services are compelled to address increased incidents of hypothermia and related health risks. The scale of disruption is quantified by the number of households losing service, which rises proportionally with the number of plants affected. This pattern demonstrates how the legacy of Soviet infrastructure can be leveraged deliberately within wartime logistics to achieve a strategic objective of influencing civilian conditions._3_Examining the broader implications, the approach reflects a continuation of infrastructure-focused tactics that are not limited to Soviet-era designs alone. It illustrates the present-day application of engineering knowledge and historical urban planning to influence conflict outcomes. The repeated targeting of heating plants indicates that the adversary values the historical context of urban utility design, perceiving it as a weak point that can be exploited to intensify pressure on any population that remains tied to these legacy systems. This action highlights the intersection of historical urban architecture and modern conflict strategy, an area that remains critical for policymakers assessing the protective need for essential civilian infrastructure within strategically complex regions.