Russia struck six Ukrainian energy facilities within hours of US President Donald Trump's announcement of an energy ceasefire between the two countries, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday.
Trump stated on Sunday that the truce would take effect "immediately". Zelensky told Fox News that despite this announcement, Russia had attacked "our gas stations, energy infrastructure, and other facilities". He said 33 people were injured in the strikes across the country.
Ukraine's state-owned grid operator Ukrenergo reported power cuts in Kharkiv, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia following damage to energy equipment. Blackouts hit the city of Izyum after a Russian strike destroyed power grids. Energy and railway infrastructure in western Ukraine were also targeted overnight. Electricity rationing has been introduced in parts of Ukraine to prevent overloading damaged equipment.
In Kyiv, mayor Vitali Klitschko reported a drone hit a 25-story residential building in the Darnytskyi district, leaving one person dead and 11 injured. Additional damage included vehicles on fire in the building's courtyard.
"I think it was Putin's answer to President Trump," Zelensky said of the strikes. On social media, he stated the attacks proved Russia was "unwilling to accept an energy ceasefire".
When Trump announced the ceasefire Sunday, Zelensky said the announcement was "news to him" but backed it as a "major step toward ending the war, if the Americans truly step in now and make sure Russians respect the energy ceasefire".
Asked Monday about the ceasefire, Trump said the countries had agreed "because I said you agree", adding that the war "has to get settled" and calling it "a disaster if you see the numbers".
European responses proved mixed. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Britain "strongly supports" Trump's call. France, Canada and the EU also expressed support. However, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc would welcome a ceasefire "when it holds", noting "we haven't yet seen that also Russia will stick to it". Estonia's foreign minister said the ceasefire was "not working".
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday that Ukraine does not deserve the "respite" a ceasefire would bring.
Both sides have conducted sustained strikes on energy infrastructure for months. BBC Verify analysis found 2.4 times as many reported Russian attacks affecting Ukraine's energy network so far this year compared to the previous period.