Russia and Ukraine attack energy facilities, with Russia accusing Ukraine of violating the ceasefire

On March 26th local time, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that despite Ukrainian President Zelensky announcing a halt to attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure, Ukrainian forces continue such attacks, attempting to disrupt the US-Russia agreement on a phased resolution to the conflict. The Russian Ministry of Defense pointed out that in the past 24 hours, Ukraine attacked Russian energy facilities at least three times.

According to reports, early Wednesday morning, Russian air defense systems shot down two Ukrainian drones near Tarhankut Cape on the Crimean coast. The drones targeted the surface facilities of the Glebovskoye underground natural gas storage. On the same day, Ukrainian drones also attacked a facility of the Russian power grid company in Bryansk Oblast, causing a 10kV high-voltage line to be severed. Additionally, a large-scale power outage occurred in Khomutov District, Kursk Oblast, affecting about 4,000 households.

On Tuesday, Zelensky stated that Ukraine has reached an agreement with US negotiators to cease attacks on Russian energy facilities starting that day. However, he warned that any Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities would be met with "strong retaliation."

In response, the Russian Ministry of Defense summarized that Ukraine, by continuing strikes on Russian energy facilities, is essentially sabotaging the US-Russia agreement on a phased resolution to the Ukrainian conflict. Last week, Russian President Putin and US President Trump agreed via phone to halt attacks on energy infrastructure, but limited ceasefire has not been achieved due to ongoing drone and missile attacks from both sides.

On Monday, after talks between Russian and US officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, both Russian and Ukrainian parties pledged to stop attacks on each other's energy facilities. Russia stated that this ceasefire order took effect on March 18th and would last for 30 days. On Wednesday, Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov announced that Putin's order not to attack Ukrainian energy facilities is being enforced and the Russian military is complying.

However, Ukraine accuses Russia of violating the Riyadh agreement, claiming it is not sincerely fulfilling its peace commitments. On Wednesday, Zelensky called on the US to impose further sanctions on Russia, stating that Russian drone attacks indicate a lack of pursuit for "real peace." Additionally, Ukrainian officials revealed that Zelensky's hometown Kryvyi Rih suffered a massive drone attack by Russia, resulting in at least 15 explosions but no casualties.

Discrepancies over the Riyadh agreement remain. Zelensky stated that the US told Ukraine the agreement would take effect immediately upon announcement, while the Kremlin insists it will adhere to the Black Sea ceasefire agreement only after some bank sanctions are lifted.

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