Kyiv – Russia has resumed airstrikes on Ukraine, striking overnight and reportedly violating a brief, unofficial pause in attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure. The attacks, which killed at least five Ukrainians according to reports, came after a period where Moscow appeared to hold back from targeting critical infrastructure following a request from former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of breaking its commitment, suggesting the pause was merely a tactical maneuver to build up its forces for a more devastating assault. , Zelenskyy stated that Russia had “broken its promise” and appeared to be waiting for the coldest days of winter – with temperatures in parts of Ukraine falling below -20 degrees Celsius – to maximize the impact of its attacks.
According to Zelenskyy, Trump had personally appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt strikes on Ukraine’s energy sector and critical infrastructure due to the extreme cold. The understanding, as described by Zelenskyy, was for a pause of at least one week, intended to last until a planned meeting between Ukrainian, Russian, and U.S. Delegations in Abu Dhabi.
Zelenskyy indicated that Russia had used the period of reduced attacks to replenish its arsenal. “What did they do? They postponed the strike, increased the number of missiles and drones, and struck on the coldest days,” he said. He expressed skepticism that the pause was a genuine gesture of goodwill.
The attacks on involved a record number of projectiles, with Russian forces launching 28 cruise missiles and 43 ballistic missiles, Zelenskyy stated. He emphasized that only “Patriot” air defense systems are capable of intercepting such attacks, renewing his plea for increased supplies of these systems and their associated missiles.
Zelenskyy accused Russia of deliberately targeting Ukraine’s power grid to deprive civilians of electricity, and heating. He stated his government would maintain contact with the U.S. Side and urged international partners not to remain silent about the situation, stressing the importance of continued support for Ukraine’s defense and the protection of its citizens.
The recent strikes are expected to influence the Ukrainian delegation’s approach to negotiations in the United Arab Emirates. Zelenskyy asserted that each Russian attack reinforces the view that Moscow remains committed to the destruction of Ukraine and is not seriously pursuing diplomatic solutions. He stated that his negotiating team’s strategy would be adjusted accordingly.
The initial reports of a pause in attacks followed statements by Trump claiming that Putin had agreed to suspend strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure at his request. Trump also alluded to potential “good news” regarding a resolution to the conflict. He described a phone conversation with Putin, noting that Russia was experiencing a similar cold snap to the United States, but acknowledging that conditions in Ukraine were significantly colder.
“I asked him if he could hold off for a week, so that rockets don’t go into Kyiv or other cities, and he agreed to do it. That’s already something,” Trump reportedly said.
Zelenskyy confirmed that Russian forces had refrained from directly targeting energy facilities during the period, but had instead focused on attacks against logistical infrastructure. This suggests a deliberate attempt to disrupt Ukraine’s ability to resupply its forces and maintain essential services.
The situation underscores the fragility of any informal agreements reached outside of formal diplomatic channels. While Trump’s intervention may have briefly slowed the pace of attacks, Russia’s resumption of strikes demonstrates its continued commitment to military pressure on Ukraine. The increased use of ballistic missiles, which require advanced air defense systems to intercept, highlights the escalating nature of the conflict and the urgent need for further international assistance to Ukraine.
The U.S. Has reportedly hailed the initial reception to a peace framework from European nations and Ukraine, but Zelenskyy’s strong condemnation of Russia’s actions suggests significant obstacles remain to any meaningful progress towards a negotiated settlement. The latest developments are likely to further complicate diplomatic efforts and reinforce the need for a robust and sustained international response to Russia’s aggression.
