Zelensky: Russia attacked Ukraine's energy sector 76 times despite Trump's initiative

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that since US President Donald Trump announced an "energy truce" a week ago, Russia has deliberately attacked the country's energy and oil and gas infrastructure 76 times.

Consequences of overnight shelling

According to the head of state, just this night, on 17 October, Russian forces struck substations in Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi and Odesa regions. As a result, tens of thousands of families were left without electricity. Energy workers and repair crews are working virtually around the clock to restore the systems.

In addition to infrastructure, the Russians attacked residential buildings in Ukrainian regions overnight. As of the time of publication, 12 people have been injured, including two children, and two have been killed.

On the morning of the same day, Russian forces hit an agricultural enterprise in Volyn. The President emphasised that all necessary services are already working at the scene.

Scale of attacks over the week

Over the past week, Russia launched almost 2,700 strike drones, 1,700 aviation bombs and 66 missiles at Ukrainian territory, the majority of which were ballistic.

«Головні цілі цих ударів – саме енергетика, росіяни намагаються створити блекаут» ("The main targets of these strikes are the energy sector; the Russians are trying to create a blackout"), Volodymyr Zelensky emphasised.

Appeal to the US

The President of Ukraine appealed to the United States, calling for pressure on the aggressor:

«Америка має бачити, що Росія не робить кроки назустріч у відповідь на зняття санкцій чи угоди. Навпаки, кожен сигнал про можливість заробити вони сприймають як те, що ставка на війну працює і можна воювати далі. Саме через цю позицію Росії війна триває, а не через те, що Україна справедливо захищає себе. Саме на Росію потрібно тиснути, щоб у миру був шанс. Дякую всім, хто це розуміє та допомагає» ("America must see that Russia is not making moves towards a response to the lifting of sanctions or agreements. On the contrary, they interpret every signal of the possibility of earning as the fact that the bet on war is working and they can continue fighting. It is precisely because of Russia's position that the war continues, not because Ukraine is justly defending itself. It is Russia that needs to be pressured for peace to have a chance. Thank you to everyone who understands this and helps"), the President emphasises.