The fragile U.S.-brokered agreement to halt attacks on energy infrastructure between Russia and Ukraine came under renewed strain on Wednesday, with both sides accusing each other of fresh strikes in violation of the deal. The moratorium, intended as a step toward broader peace negotiations, now appears increasingly unstable as hostilities continue.
Russia’s Defense Ministry alleged that Ukrainian forces launched drone and shelling attacks in the western Kursk region, plunging more than 1,500 homes into darkness. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reported that Russian drones had targeted an energy substation in Sumy, while artillery fire damaged a power line in Dnipropetrovsk, leaving nearly 4,000 people without electricity.
Both Kyiv and Moscow stated that they had informed Washington of the latest violations, highlighting growing frustration over the deal’s effectiveness. The Trump administration, which played a key role in securing the moratorium, is pushing for a faster path to ending the conflict, which has dragged on for three years.
Despite the renewed clashes, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov insisted that Russia remained committed to diplomatic efforts, pointing to President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to agree to the energy truce as proof of his intent to de-escalate. However, Ukraine and some of its European allies remain skeptical, accusing Moscow of using ceasefires as strategic pauses rather than genuine moves toward peace.
Zelenskiy, in a sharp rebuke, called on the United States to ramp up sanctions against Russia in response to the latest attacks. The Ukrainian leader has repeatedly accused Moscow of undermining the agreement while continuing its military campaign.
