The Kremlin has stated that the «energy truce» between Ukraine and Russia announced by Donald Trump has no specifically agreed terms. Against this backdrop, on the night of 13–14 October, Russian forces launched strikes on energy infrastructure in Kyiv, the Kyiv region and Kharkiv; according to the Ukrainian authorities, at least 600,000 people were left without electricity.
Briefly about the main points
- Peskov stated that Trump’s initiative had not been set out in detail.
- The Kremlin has not confirmed its commitment to halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector.
- On 11 October, Trump spoke of an alleged immediate cessation of reciprocal strikes.
- Zelenskyy reported that 30 energy facilities had been damaged.
- The Russian Ministry of Defence has announced that it has carried out strikes on six power stations.
Moscow says it will continue to work on the terms
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the US President’s initiative to halt attacks on energy infrastructure had not been formalised in any concrete way. «Work in this area is therefore continuing», he said, according to «Censor.NET», citing Russian media.
This statement did not contain any confirmation that Moscow had made a commitment to cease shelling Ukrainian power stations and power grids. The day before, Peskov had also spoken of ongoing talks regarding a possible ceasefire, without naming those involved or specifying a timeframe for agreeing the terms.
Trump’s statement and Kyiv’s response
11 October Trump wrote on Truth Social that Ukraine and Russia had allegedly agreed to immediately cease mutual attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure. However, the US President did not publish any document setting out the terms of the agreement, the mechanism for monitoring its implementation, or confirmation of the agreement from both sides.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Trump’s statement came as a surprise to the Ukrainian side. Kyiv declared its readiness to cease attacks on a reciprocal basis, provided that Russia stops striking Ukrainian power stations, substations and other energy facilities. According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine would in that case be prepared to refrain from striking Russian oil refineries.
The aftermath of the night-time attack on the Kyiv and Kharkiv regions
The main objectives of the large-scale missile and drone attack, according to Reuters, were Kyiv, the Kyiv region and Kharkiv. Zelenskyy reported damage to 30 energy facilities. The Russian Ministry of Defence, for its part, confirmed strikes on six power stations in these regions.
The Ukrainian side stated that Russia had fired 39 missiles and deployed over 120 drones, whilst air defence forces shot down four missiles. Zelenskyy described the attack as a blatant display of Russia’s disregard for the US President’s peace efforts.
Status of a possible agreement to halt the strikes
As of 14 October, there is no officially confirmed bilateral agreement between Ukraine and Russia on ceasing attacks on energy infrastructure. The US has stated that an agreement has been reached, Ukraine has set a condition of reciprocity, whilst the Kremlin has cited a lack of agreement on specific provisions.
The date on which such a regime might be introduced, the procedures for monitoring compliance with it, and the safeguards to ensure that the parties fulfil their obligations have not been announced.
