Russian military forces targeted Ukrainian power infrastructure in a series of attacks before the commencement of new peace negotiations, resulting in the deaths of three energy workers and causing widespread power and heating outages affecting tens of thousands of individuals, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The trilateral discussions supported by the U.S. involving Kyiv and Moscow are taking place just ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s extensive invasion of Ukraine on February 24. The conflict has led to significant casualties, mass displacement, and extensive destruction in various Ukrainian regions.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly criticized the recent strikes on 12 Ukrainian regions, which were orchestrated to inflict maximum damage on the country’s energy sector. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for diplomacy to be underpinned by both justice and strength.
Since the full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022, there have been numerous instances of attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities during the winter season, resulting in disruptions to power and heating supplies.
The tragic incident involving the loss of three energy workers occurred when a Russian drone attacked their vehicle near the Sloviansk power plant in a frontline area that Moscow is seeking Kyiv to relinquish in exchange for peace. The power infrastructure serving Ukraine’s critical Black Sea port city of Odesa sustained severe damage, according to statements from private energy company DTEK, highlighting the extensive repairs required to restore functionality.
Deputy Energy Minister Artem Nekrasov reported power cuts in five regions and disruptions to heating supplies in Odesa and Sumy due to the strikes. Ukraine’s air force disclosed that Russia launched around 400 drones and 29 missiles, with some successfully hitting targets in Ukraine.
Simultaneously, the Ukrainian military confirmed launching an attack on the Ilsky oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region, leading to a fire at one of the largest oil facilities in southern Russia.
In Geneva, negotiators from Ukraine and Russia convened for U.S.-mediated peace talks focusing on unresolved land disputes. President Donald Trump stressed the urgency for Moscow and Kyiv to reach a resolution to end the significant conflict in Europe. Zelenskyy urged allies to intensify pressure on Russia through stricter sanctions and increased weapon supplies to Ukraine.
Russia’s demand for Ukraine to cede the remaining 20 percent of the eastern Donetsk region has been a major point of contention. The talks are expected to address a wide range of issues, including territorial disputes and other key demands from both sides.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, control over territories, and the potential involvement of Western troops in postwar Ukraine remain significant areas of disagreement between Russia and Ukraine. Talks have shifted to Geneva after previous rounds held in Abu Dhabi earlier this year.
Key figures leading the delegations include Vladimir Medinsky from Russia and Rustem Umerov from Ukraine, with additional representatives from both sides participating in the negotiations. The U.S. delegation is expected to be led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, prominent figures in Trump’s administration.