In brief
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia hit six energy sites within hours of US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire. The attacks caused blackouts in Izyum and damaged power grids in Kharkiv, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia. Thirty‑three people were injured and the state grid operator Ukrenergo confirmed new cuts. Despite the ceasefire pledge, Ukraine sees Russia’s strikes as a clear rejection of an agreed pause in energy attacks and a threat to civilian infrastructure.
Russia struck six Ukrainian energy facilities within hours of US President Donald Trump announcing a ceasefire between the two nations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday.
Despite Trump stating on Sunday the truce would be effective immediately, the Ukrainian president claimed Russian forces hit gas stations, energy infrastructure and other critical facilities. The attacks caused blackouts in the city of Izyum after a strike destroyed power grids, while energy and railway lines in western Ukraine were also targeted overnight, Ukraine said.
"We did not attack, while Russia attacked our gas stations, energy infrastructure, and other facilities," Zelensky told Fox News, adding that Russia’s actions were “Putin’s answer to President Trump.” Thirty‑three people were reported injured in the strikes across the country.
Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s state‑owned grid operator, warned of new power cuts in Kharkiv, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia due to damage from Russian attacks. Electricity rationing has been introduced in parts of the country to prevent overloading damaged equipment.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Ukraine does not deserve the respite a ceasefire would bring, while other European officials weighed in. Britain’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated the UK "strongly supports" Trump’s call for a sustained energy ceasefire, but EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas cautioned that the bloc would welcome a ceasefire only when it is upheld by Russia. Estonia’s foreign minister reportedly called the ceasefire “not working.”
Analysis of attacks on energy infrastructure reveals a sharp increase in Russian strikes this year. BBC Verify has recorded 273 Russian attacks on oil and gas facilities in 2026, more than double the 124 recorded in 2025. The Global Conflict Monitor also logged 2.4 times as many reported Russian attacks affecting Ukraine’s energy network so far this year.
Meanwhile, Trump has been urging Ukraine to curtail strikes on Russian oil infrastructure to comply with a recently struck deal that lifts temporary sanctions on US and global diesel imports, a move Zelensky described as a "gift" to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
