Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Russia attacked six energy facilities in Ukraine just hours after US President Donald Trump claimed an agreement had been reached on an energy ceasefire between the two nations.
According to President Zelenskyy, these attacks targeted petrol stations, energy infrastructure, and residential buildings, resulting in at least two deaths and 33 injuries.
Power Outages and Rationing
Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s state-owned grid operator, announced that electricity rationing has been implemented in parts of the country to prevent placing excessive strain on damaged equipment.
New power outages were recorded in Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia after Russian attacks damaged energy infrastructure.
In Izyum (Kharkiv region), Russian strikes destroyed power grids, plunging the city into a blackout.
According to Ukrinform, Ukraine’s state news agency, energy and railway infrastructure in western Ukraine was also targeted overnight.
Zelenskyy’s Statement
Zelenskyy stated on social media, “This is what happens when Russia sees the prospect of greater earnings for its war machine.”
In a statement, he remarked that it is becoming clear Russia is unwilling to accept the energy ceasefire proposed by the US and intends to continue “terrorist air strikes” against civilians and communities.
Speaking to Fox News, he said, “We did not attack, whereas Russia attacked our gas stations, energy infrastructure, and other sites.” He added, “I think this was Putin’s response to President Trump.”
Drone Attack in Kyiv
On Monday evening, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that a drone had struck a 25-story residential building in the capital’s Darnytskyi district.
Several cars parked in the building’s courtyard caught fire. Initial statements from the mayor reported one death and 11 injuries.
According to the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office, two people lost their lives in the attack: a 59-year-old woman and another person inside a car near the building. At least seven people were injured, including a 17-year-old girl.
Attacks also occurred in other regions. On the morning of October 12, three civilians—including a 13-year-old girl were killed in a Russian attack in Cherkaske, Donetsk province.
In Krasnopillia, Sumy province, a driver was killed in a drone strike on a civilian car. On Sunday, at least six people were killed in attacks on Kharkiv and Kramatorsk.
Lavrov: Ukraine Does Not Deserve “Relief”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated late Monday that Kyiv does not deserve the “relief” that a ceasefire would provide.
Trump’s Announcement Surprises Both Kyiv and the Kremlin
On Sunday, Trump announced that both sides had agreed to an energy ceasefire, effective “immediately.” This announcement took both Kyiv and the Kremlin by surprise.
Zelenskyy described the news as a surprise to him but stated that Ukraine would support a ceasefire if Moscow was ready.
He called it a “major step” toward ending the war, provided the US stepped in to ensure Russia’s compliance.
When asked on Monday, Trump said the two sides agreed “because I said agree.” He added that the war must be resolved and remarked, “If you look at the numbers, this war is a tragedy.”
Easing of Restrictions on Russian Diesel
Trump’s announcement comes just days after he spoke of easing sanctions to allow the purchase of diesel from Russia in order to curb rising fuel prices in the US. Midterm elections are scheduled to take place in the US next month.
Trump has claimed an agreement with Putin under which more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel would be supplied immediately, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and 1 million tonnes thereafter.
The US Treasury Department has also announced a partial easing of sanctions on Russian diesel until April 2027.
Trump has consistently blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries for the price surge, whereas prices had already risen sharply after the US began strikes against Iran in February.
Criticizing the decision, Zelenskyy called Trump “weak” and stated, “All this money goes into the war against the people, against Ukraine, against all of us.”
In response, the European Union unveiled its largest-ever sanctions package on Monday, adding 1,569 new individuals and companies to the sanctions list.
Intensifying Attacks on Both Sides
For months, Ukraine and Russia have been targeting each other’s energy infrastructure, disrupting supplies on both sides.
Moscow maintains that the sites it attacks support Ukraine’s military operations and are, therefore, legitimate targets.
Meanwhile, according to Zelensky, Ukrainian strikes inside Russia aim to “reduce Russia’s capacity to fund the war.”
Analysis by BBC Verify reveals that both sides have stepped up attacks ahead of the coming winter.
So far in 2026, 273 attacks on Russian-controlled oil and gas facilities have been recorded, compared to 124 during the same period in 2025.
Data from the conflict monitor ACLED shows that Russian attacks affecting Ukraine’s energy network have increased 2.4-fold this year.
International reaction
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that Britain strongly supports Trump’s call for an “immediate, lasting energy ceasefire.”
France, Canada, and the European Union also expressed support, although the reaction from European officials was mixed.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc would welcome a ceasefire “when it holds,” but there have been no signs so far that Russia intends to abide by one.
Estonia’s Foreign Minister remarked that the ceasefire “is not working.”
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, following talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said the two discussed Iranian aggression—including in the Strait of Hormuz—and the need to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Ukraine.
Opposition Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch stated that Trump is “wrong” to ease sanctions on Russian diesel, blame Zelenskyy for prolonging Putin’s war, and undermine a nation fighting for its very survival.
Background
Trump’s pledge to end the war within 24 hours of taking office did not materialize. Many Ukrainian and international experts argue that, despite being a guarantor nation under the Budapest Memorandum, the US is pressuring Kyiv to surrender.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Ukrainian human rights lawyer Oleksandra Matviichuk has also questioned why the year of Trump’s negotiations proved to be the deadliest for Ukrainian civilians since the war began.
On October 9, the US imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) as an institution. The court had previously issued arrest warrants for Putin and Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova (for the alleged illegal deportation of Ukrainian children); military officials Sergei Kobylash and Viktor Sokolov (for attacks on civilian infrastructure); and Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov (for alleged war crimes linked to missile strikes on Ukraine’s power infrastructure).
