Ukraine has accused Russia of disregarding United States President Donald Trump’s proposed energy ceasefire and rejecting an opportunity to ease tensions, following a fresh wave of deadly strikes that disrupted electricity supplies and damaged critical infrastructure.
Kyiv came under an intense barrage of ballistic missiles and attack drones targeting energy facilities and other strategic installations, despite Trump’s surprise announcement of the proposed truce over the weekend.
The attacks killed four people in the Ukrainian capital and left at least 600,000 without electricity after substantial damage was reported at power facilities and equipment.
In the eastern Kharkiv region, ballistic missile strikes also hit power plants and disrupted electricity and heating infrastructure, according to Prime Minister Sergiy Koretsky.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the latest assault, describing its scale as deliberate and demonstrative. He accused Moscow of showing unprecedented disregard for Washington, arguing that Russia’s actions suggested it did not take Trump’s statements seriously.
Trump caught both Kyiv and Moscow off guard on Sunday when he unilaterally announced an energy ceasefire, raising hopes of a temporary halt to attacks on critical energy infrastructure.
The announcement came two days after the US president angered Ukraine’s Western allies with news of an agreement with heavily sanctioned Russia to supply diesel fuel.
Trump has repeatedly criticised Zelenskyy over Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries and has even called for a change in Ukraine’s leadership, further straining relations between Washington and Kyiv.
The latest Russian strikes have cast fresh doubt on prospects for a temporary reduction in hostilities, as Ukraine continues to grapple with attacks on its energy infrastructure and the wider consequences of the prolonged war.
