Emergency services responded to a Russian drone strike on a residential building in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine on Monday. Russia struck six Ukrainian energy facilities hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the two countries had agreed to an energy ceasefire, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Despite Trump's statement on Sunday that the truce would be 'effective immediately,' Zelensky reported that Russia had attacked 'our gas stations, energy infrastructure, and other facilities.'
The Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform reported blackouts in the city of Izyum after a Russian strike destroyed power grids, and energy and railway infrastructure in western Ukraine was also targeted overnight. On Monday, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Ukraine does not deserve the 'respite' a ceasefire would bring.
Zelensky reported that 33 people had been injured in the strikes on energy facilities across the country. He stated, 'We did not attack, while Russia attacked our gas stations, energy infrastructure, and other facilities.' He also suggested that the attacks were a response from President Putin to Trump's announcement.
Global conflicts have influenced fuel prices ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, and on Friday, Trump announced a plan to import Russian diesel into the U.S. On Monday, Ukraine's state-owned grid operator Ukrenergo reported 'new power cuts' in Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia due to damage caused by Russian attacks. Electricity rationing has been implemented in parts of Ukraine to prevent overloading damaged equipment, according to Ukrenergo.
Zelensky stated on X that the strikes were evidence that Russia was 'unwilling to accept an energy ceasefire.' On Monday evening, Kyiv's mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that a drone hit a 25-story residential building in the Darnytskyi district, resulting in one death and 11 injuries.
When Trump first announced the ceasefire on Sunday, Zelensky indicated it was 'news to him' that a truce was in effect, but he supported 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.' Trump commented on the ceasefire, stating they agreed 'because I said you agree,' and emphasized the need to settle the war.
For months, Ukraine and Russia have exchanged strikes on energy infrastructure, disrupting energy supplies on both sides. Moscow claims the installations it targets are legitimate as they support Ukraine's military operations, while Zelensky has described Ukrainian attacks deep inside Russian territory as efforts to 'reduce Russia's ability to finance the war.'
Analysis by BBC Verify has shown both Ukrainian and Russian strikes have increased in the lead-up to winter. In 2026, BBC Verify recorded 273 strikes on Russian-controlled oil and gas facilities, more than double the 124 recorded in 2025. Additionally, data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project (Acled) indicated that reported Russian attacks affecting Ukraine's energy network have increased 2.4 times this year.
Trump has urged Ukraine to cease strikes on Russian oil infrastructure to allow Russia to fulfill a recently struck deal to release diesel to the U.S. and the global market. This deal temporarily lifts U.S. sanctions on energy imports, which Zelensky described as a 'gift' to President Putin.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed strong support for Trump's call for a sustained energy ceasefire, with France, Canada, and the EU also expressing support. However, responses among European officials have been mixed. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that the bloc would welcome an energy ceasefire 'when it holds,' noting that there has been no indication that Russia would adhere to it. Estonia's foreign minister remarked that the ceasefire was 'not working.'