Russian forces targeted Ukrainian power infrastructure in a series of attacks that resulted in the deaths of three energy workers and caused widespread power outages and heating shortages, officials reported on Tuesday. These attacks occurred just before the commencement of trilateral peace talks in Geneva involving Kyiv, Moscow, and U.S. representatives, coinciding with the upcoming anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine four years ago.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly denounced the strikes on 12 Ukrainian regions, emphasizing that the assaults were strategically aimed at crippling the country’s energy sector. The ongoing conflict has already inflicted significant damage on numerous Ukrainian cities and displaced millions of people, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Ukraine’s deputy energy minister confirmed that the energy workers were killed by a Russian drone near the Sloviansk power plant, an area contested by Moscow in exchange for peace negotiations. The city of Odesa, a critical Black Sea port, suffered severe damage to its power infrastructure, with repairs expected to take an extended period to restore functionality.
Amidst escalating tensions, Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting nearly 400 drones and 29 missiles launched by Russia, resulting in multiple targets being hit. In a retaliatory move, the Ukrainian military conducted a strike on the Ilsky oil refinery in Russia, igniting a fire and further escalating hostilities.
The peace talks in Geneva primarily focus on resolving the longstanding territorial disputes, particularly concerning the Donetsk region. While international pressure mounts for a peaceful resolution, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy urged allies to increase sanctions on Russia and provide additional military support to Ukraine for a fair and lasting peace agreement.
As the negotiations unfold, both sides remain at odds over key issues, including territorial control, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and the potential involvement of Western forces post-conflict. The talks, previously held in Abu Dhabi, have now shifted to Geneva, with high expectations for progress towards de-escalation and sustainable peace in the region.