Six Ukrainian energy sites hit by Russia since Trump announced ceasefire, Zelensky says

ByOlivia Ireland and Ella Kipling. 12 October 2026, 08: 56 BST.

Key points

• In 2026, BBC Verify has recorded 273 strikes on Russian-controlled oil and gas facilities, more than double the 124 recorded over the same period in 2025.
• Russia struck six Ukrainian energy facilities hours after US President Donald Trump confirmed the two countries had agreed to an energy ceasefire, Volodymyr Zelensky has stated.
• On Monday, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov remarked Ukraine does not deserve the "respite" a ceasefire would bring.
• On Monday, Ukraine's state-owned grid operator Ukrenergo documented "new power cuts" in Kharkiv, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia due to damage caused to energy equipment by Russian attacks.
• Despite Trump stating on Sunday the truce would be "effective immediately", the Ukrainian president remarked Russia had hit "our gas stations, energy infrastructure, and other facilities".

While energy and railway infrastructure in western Ukraine was additionally targeted overnight, there were blackouts in the city of Izyum after a Russian strike destroyed power grids, Ukraine's state news agency Ukrinform remarked.

On Monday, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov remarked Ukraine does not deserve the "respite" a ceasefire would bring. What's behind Trump's energy ceasefire claim?

Zelensky backs Trump's 'energy ceasefire' but notes Russia continues to hit power plants.

Zelensky remarked 33 residents had been injured in the strikes on energy facilities nationwide.

He informed Fox News: "We did not attack, while Russia attacked our gas stations, energy infrastructure, and other facilities." "I think it was Putin's answer to President Trump, " he went on.

Global conflicts have pushed fuel rates higher ahead of the US midterm elections and on Friday Trump unveiled a plan to import Russian diesel into the US on Friday.

Electricity rationing has been introduced in parts of Ukraine to avoid overloading damaged equipment, Ukrenergo remarked.

Zelensky remarked on X the strikes were proof Russia was "unwilling to accept an energy ceasefire".

When Trump first confirmed the ceasefire on Sunday, Zelensky stated it was "news to him" that a truce was in effect, but he backed the proposed ceasefire as a "major step toward ending the war, if the Americans truly step in now and make sure Russians respect the energy ceasefire".

For months, Ukraine and Russia have been exchanging strikes on energy infrastructure, disrupting energy supplies on both sides.

While Zelensky has characterised Ukrainian attacks deep inside Russian territory as part of an effort to "reduce Russia's ability to finance the war", moscow has remarked the installations it hits are legitimate targets as they backing Ukraine's military operation.

Analysis by BBC Verify on both Ukrainian and Russian strikes during the war have discovered both sides have climbed their attacks in the lead up to the next winter.

Separately, analysis of data aggregated by global conflict monitor, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project (Acled), recorded 2.4 times as plenty of noted Russian attacks affecting Ukraine's energy network so far this year.

Trump has been urging Ukraine to stop strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, so Russia can fulfil the lately struck agreement to release diesel to the US and the global market.

Notably, the accord temporarily undoes US sanctions on energy imports. It zelensky described as a "gift" to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

While France, Canada and the EU additionally expressed backing, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham remarked Britain "strongly supports President Trump's call today for a sustained energy ceasefire to start now". Nevertheless, there has been a mixed response among European office-holders.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas remarked the bloc would welcome an energy ceasefire "when it holds". Kallas remarked at a gathering of EU foreign ministers on Monday: "We haven't yet seen that also Russia will stick to it." Meanwhile, Estonia's foreign minister noted the ceasefire was "not working".

Taken together, the developments around six Ukrainian energy sites hit by Russia since Trump announced ceasefire, Zelensky point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.