As reported by RBC-Ukraine on October 14, 2026, citing a statement by Russia’s Ministry of Defense, Russia launched a massive strike on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, despite the “energy truce” announced by US President Donald Trump. Russia’s Ministry of Defense effectively confirmed attacks on energy facilities in Kyiv, Kyiv region, and Kharkiv region, cynically claiming that they supposedly served the needs of Ukraine’s defense industry and Armed Forces.
According to Russia’s military department, the strikes involved ground-launched precision weapons and long-range attack drones. The Russians named energy facilities in the capital, Kyiv region, and Kharkiv region among the targets.
In Kyiv, according to the Russian side, the ATM Ukrsibbank data center, Darnytsia Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHPP-4), and Kyiv CHPP-5 were hit.
In Kyiv region, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed to have hit Kyiv CHPP-6, Trypilska Thermal Power Plant, and the Kyiv electrical substation.
In Kharkiv region, the named targets included Kharkiv CHPP-5 and Zmiiv Thermal Power Plant.
At the same time, the Russian department’s claim that these facilities supposedly had a military purpose is Russia’s position and does not establish that strikes on energy infrastructure were lawful.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Russian attack was extensive. According to him, overnight the occupiers used dozens of ballistic missiles and more than a hundred attack drones against Ukraine’s energy sector and critical infrastructure.
“Overnight, the Russians used 39 ballistic missiles and more than 120 attack drones and loitering munitions against our energy sector and critical infrastructure in Kyiv, Kyiv region, and Kharkiv,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The head of state stressed that the strike specifically targeted the energy sector, for which Donald Trump had called for a ceasefire. According to the Ukrainian president, the scale of the attack demonstrates Russia’s blatant disregard for US initiatives.
“The strike was entirely deliberate, and its scale was intended to make a statement—Russia has never shown such demonstrative disrespect toward America before!” he stressed.
Zelenskyy also noted that the Russian side does not regard statements by the US president as a sufficiently strong signal.
“Russia does not consider the statements of the President of America to be strong,” the head of state added.
The consequences of the attack were felt by hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians. According to the president, around 600,000 people were left without electricity.
“Unfortunately, facilities and equipment at 26 components of our electricity system and four facilities in the oil and gas sector have sustained significant damage,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
On October 11, 2026, US President Donald Trump announced an “energy truce” between Ukraine and Russia. At the time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Kyiv had made no agreements on the matter, but Ukraine was ready to support a halt to strikes on energy infrastructure if Russia agreed.
However, the new massive attack casts doubt on the Kremlin’s willingness to abide even by this limited form of ceasefire. Despite statements about peace initiatives, Russian forces continue to strike facilities that millions of Ukrainians rely on for electricity and heating.
