Russia hits power plant hours after Trump claims energy ceasefire
Updated . First published at
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of attacking energy plants just hours after Donald Trump claimed the warring countries had agreed an “energy ceasefire”.
In a Truth Social post on Sunday (Monday AEDT), the US president declared Russia and Ukraine had agreed to halt strikes on oil refineries and energy infrastructure without delay.
US President Donald Trump has announced an “energy ceasefire” between Ukraine and Russia. Alex Brandon
“Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!” Trump wrote.
There was no comment from Russia on the announcement.
Zelenskyy said he was taken surprise by Trump’s announcement, but welcomed it.
“This is good news for everyone – and it is important that it become reality.
“Unfortunately, Ukrainian skies have been infested with Russian ‘shaheds’ all day today. There have been glide bomb strikes and strikes on our energy infrastructure too. A power plant in Kharkiv was attacked this evening.”
Zelenskyy said Russia had launched more than 200 strikes on Ukrainian electricity generation and transmission plants last week.
A rescue worker puts out a fire at residential houses destroyed in a Russian strike on Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Sunday, October11. Andrii Marienko
Russia has sought to deny Ukrainian civilians power, heat and running water during the war, hoping to wear down public resistance to Moscow’s full-scale invasion.
Trump's announcement comes after days of pressure from the US president for Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries.
He stepped up the pressure on Saturday with a warning to Zelenskyy that he had “better damn well stop” targeting Russian refineries.
Trump also accused him of prolonging the war with Russia and for US fuel prices skyrocketing, and urged Ukrainians to replace Zelenskyy with a new leader at future elections.
US President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in August 2025. AP
Zelenskyy on Monday wrote on X he had discussed the energy ceasefire with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
“Ukraine supports the ceasefire, and it is important that Russia support it as well. We are awaiting details from the American side,” he said.
Only hours earlier, Zelenksyy, speaking with Axios, pledged to continue attacks on Russian energy targets.
He reiterated his long-held stance that Ukraine was willing to do so only if President Vladimir Putin suspended Russian strikes on Ukrainian power infrastructure.
Trump, who on Friday struck a deal with Putin to buy diesel from Moscow in an attempt to address high fuel prices ahead of US midterm elections in November, has been urging Zelenskyy for weeks to stop striking Russian energy infrastructure.
Ukraine has been targeting Russian oil assets, including this Moscow refinery in June. Volodymyr Zelenskyy/X
He has sought to blame record American diesel prices on Ukraine rather than the US-led war in Iran, which has driven up world energy prices. Ukrainian and European officials reacted to the diesel deal with dismay, saying it will help pay for Russia’s war effort.
The Ukraine war began in February 2022 when Russia invaded its neighbour, launching strikes against multiple cities including the capital Kyiv. Under international law, Russia invasion is illegal.
- With The Associated Press
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