Ukraine claims Russia has struck energy sites 8 times since Putin ordered forces to halt attacks

Russia has struck Ukraine’s energy infrastructure at least eight times since President Vladimir Putin ordered a halt to such attacks last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s advisor Dmytro Lytvyn has said.

“Moscow is a city built on lies, no surprise to anyone in Ukraine. But the reality is – since March 18, they’ve been hitting our energy sites with bombs, attack drones, and FPV drones,” Lytvyn said.

Last week, Putin ordered to cease-fire on Ukraine’s energy facilities for 30 days after Russia rejected Washington’s previous proposal for a temporary halt in fighting.

In the recently held talks in Riyadh, the White House said that each country “agreed to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea.”

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy on Wednesday denounced the latest attacks from Russia, which launched over a hundred drones overnight, hours after agreeing to outlines of a Black Sea ceasefire.

“Launching such large-scale attacks after ceasefire negotiations is a clear signal to the whole world that Moscow is not going to pursue real peace,” Zelensky said on social media.

Russia launched 117 drones over Ukraine overnight, out of which 56 were downed and 48 were lost from radar without causing damage, the air force said.

Frontline regions also came under fire, including in the eastern Donetsk region, where three people were killed in the past 24 hours, according to governor Vadym Filashkin.

“There must also be clear pressure and strong action from the world on Russia–– more pressure, more sanctions from the United States–– to stop Russian strikes,” Zelenskyy said.

With inputs from agencies