Russia struck six Ukrainian energy facilities within hours of President Donald Trump announcing an energy ceasefire between the two countries, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump said Sunday the truce would be "effective immediately." Zelensky responded that Russia had hit "our gas stations, energy infrastructure, and other facilities" despite the announcement. A Russian drone strike on a residential building in Kharkiv on Monday killed one person and injured 11 others, Kyiv's Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram. Zelensky told Fox News: "We did not attack, while Russia attacked our gas stations, energy infrastructure, and other facilities." He added: "I think it was Putin's answer to President Trump."
Ukraine's state-owned grid operator Ukrenergo reported new power cuts in Kharkiv, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia following the Russian attacks. Blackouts hit the city of Izyum after a strike destroyed power grids. Zelensky said 33 people were injured across the country in the strikes on energy infrastructure. Electricity rationing has been introduced in parts of Ukraine to prevent overloading damaged equipment.
Zelensky initially said Trump's announcement was "news to him," but he backed the proposed ceasefire as a "major step toward ending the war, if the Americans truly step in now and make sure Russians respect the energy ceasefire." He later posted on X that the strikes proved Russia was "unwilling to accept an energy ceasefire."
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Ukraine does not deserve the "respite" a ceasefire would bring. Moscow characterizes energy installations as legitimate military targets supporting Ukraine's military operations.
Trump has urged Ukraine to stop strikes on Russian oil infrastructure so Russia can fulfill a recently struck deal to release diesel to the US and the global market. Zelensky described the arrangement, which temporarily undoes US sanctions on energy imports, as a "gift" to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Britain "strongly supports President Trump's call today for a sustained energy ceasefire," while France, Canada and the EU also expressed support. However, Estonia's foreign minister said the ceasefire was "not working." EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc would welcome an energy ceasefire "when it holds," adding: "We haven't yet seen that also Russia will stick to it."