A fragile pause in hostilities brokered by President Trump collapsed overnight as Moscow targeted Ukraine’s power grid just hours before scheduled peace talks in Abu Dhabi.
Russia has launched its most significant aerial offensive in months, effectively ending a short-lived “energy truce” and casting a shadow over renewed diplomatic efforts. The strikes coincided with the arrival of NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Kyiv, sending a stark message of defiance to the Western alliance.
The attack, which President Volodymyr Zelensky described as a choice for “terror and escalation,” involved a combined wave of over 70 ballistic missiles and 450 drones. The bombardment struck critical infrastructure across the country, including power plants in Kyiv and the eastern city of Kharkiv, where one facility was reportedly damaged beyond repair.
Diplomacy Under Fire
The timing of the assault is particularly significant, coming just days after the expiration of a ceasefire agreement negotiated between U.S. President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. The deal was intended to foster a stable environment for upcoming negotiations in Abu Dhabi later this week.
Despite the violence, the U.S.-coordinated talks are still scheduled to proceed. However, the ferocity of the strikes has deepened Ukrainian skepticism regarding Moscow’s willingness to engage in genuine diplomacy. President Zelensky used the occasion of Rutte’s visit to address the national parliament, calling for “maximum pressure” on the Kremlin and emphasizing that only strength can force an end to the war.
SOURCES: Office of the President of Ukraine, NATO Press Office, Ukraine Air Force, DTEK.
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