Russia violated the ceasefire: Ukraine hands over evidence of energy sector shelling to US
1 April 23:36
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine has passed on information to the United States that Russia has once again violated the “energy truce.” He said this in his evening video address, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov reported to Zelenskyy on contacts with partners, including the United States. The main issue is Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.
“There have been strikes, today there was another strike in Kherson, the use of a Russian drone against an energy facility, against equipment – absolutely deliberately and purposefully,” the Ukrainian president said.
As a result, part of the city was left without electricity, which once again confirms the systematic nature of the occupiers’ actions.
Ukraine has provided its American partners with full information about these incidents.
“We have passed on all the necessary information about Russian violations in the energy sector,” Zelensky added.
Ukraine insists that each case of violation must be recorded and receive an appropriate response from international partners, including the United States.
“We insist that each such violation must be recorded and receive a response from our partners,” Zelenskyy said.
According to him, these “small details” make up a bigger picture – Russia’s delays in the diplomatic process aimed at de-escalation.
“It is these small details that make up the big delays in the diplomatic process by Russia. The unconditional cessation of strikes proposed by America has not been realized now only because of Russia’s position,” the President of Ukraine summarized.
What is known about the energy truce
Last week, the United States, Ukraine, and Russia published the results of the technical-level talks held on March 23-25 in Saudi Arabia. The contacts between Ukraine and Russia were not conducted directly, but through the United States as an intermediary.
During the talks, the parties agreed to develop mechanisms to implement the agreement on the prohibition of strikes on energy facilities in both countries. The Ukrainian side handed over a list of energy infrastructure facilities that should not be targeted by Russian attacks. In response, the Kremlin published a list of energy facilities in both Russia and Ukraine that, according to the agreement, are not subject to shelling during the 30-day ceasefire.
As early as March 26, the Russian Ministry of Defense accused Ukraine of violating the agreement on a mutual ceasefire on energy facilities, but the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine denied the accusations.
On the night of March 28, Russian troops launched a massive attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, damaging Naftogaz’s gas production facilities.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia reserves the right not to comply with the 30-day ceasefire on energy facilities. This happened after Moscow repeatedly accused Ukraine of violating the ceasefire, although the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has already denied these statements.
