Russian strikes hit key Kyiv power plant despite agreed energy ceasefire, Zelensky says

The Darnytska CHP-4 plant and an apartment block were hit in the attack, which President Zelensky said came with “no early warning”. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two people had been killed and 21 injured in the strike on the apartment building, and that “several energy facilities” in the capital had been targeted.

In the early hours of Wednesday, Klitschko said the “massive missile attacks” had knocked out power to parts of Kyiv. Officials urged residents to stay in shelters after declaring a red alert due to a “missile threat”.

The strikes are the second consecutive night of missile attacks on Kyiv and follow multiple Russian strikes reported since US President Donald Trump said an energy ceasefire had been agreed by Russia and Ukraine two days ago.

“Ukraine supported an energy ceasefire. Russia is targeting yet another power plant and the lives of our people,” Zelensky said. He described the attack as “absolutely unjust”, noting that Ukraine was not even receiving early warnings about ballistic missile launches.

“It is important that the world does not stay silent about this. And it is important that the United States really see what is happening and who is responsible for this war continuing,” he added.

Zelensky is due to meet UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham at Downing Street on Wednesday to discuss accelerating air defence supplies to Kyiv.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The attack directly tests the energy ceasefire that US President Donald Trump announced two days ago, raising immediate questions about whether the agreement has any operational meaning.
Strikes on power infrastructure threaten heating and electricity for Kyiv residents, with the latest barrage already leaving parts of the city without power.
The timing, on the eve of Zelensky's meeting with the UK Prime Minister, sharpens the debate over how quickly Western air defences reach Ukraine.

Background

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, and Moscow has repeatedly struck Ukrainian energy infrastructure over the course of the war while Ukrainian cities have relied on Western-supplied air defences to blunt such attacks. Limited ceasefires, including around energy targets, have been proposed at various points as possible first steps toward de-escalation, but verification and enforcement have been persistent weaknesses of such arrangements. The latest agreement, announced by Washington, was already followed by reported strikes before this attack on Kyiv.

Key Perspectives

Ukraine: President Zelensky says Kyiv backed the energy ceasefire while Russia continues to destroy energy infrastructure and endanger civilian lives, and he is pressing Washington to recognise who is responsible for the war continuing. Kyiv authorities: Mayor Vitali Klitschko has emphasised the human toll, reporting deaths and injuries from strikes on residential areas and warning that power is out in parts of the capital. Critics and sceptics: The pattern of strikes so close to the announced ceasefire raises doubts about whether the agreement can hold without enforcement or verification mechanisms, and suggests repeated attacks on infrastructure may harden Ukrainian demands for more air defences rather than concessions.

What to Watch

The outcome of Zelensky's Downing Street meeting with Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Wednesday, particularly any announced acceleration of air defence supplies.
Whether strikes on Kyiv continue in coming nights, which would signal that the energy ceasefire has effectively collapsed.
Washington's response to Zelensky's direct appeal for the United States to “really see what is happening” on the ground.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Background

Key Perspectives

What to Watch

Sources