Russian forces targeted Ukrainian power infrastructure in a series of attacks, resulting in the deaths of three energy workers and leaving a large number of people without electricity and heating, as officials reported on Tuesday. These assaults occurred just before a new set of peace negotiations between Kyiv, Moscow, and the U.S. in Geneva, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The conflict has caused significant casualties, displacements, and widespread devastation in many Ukrainian areas.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly condemned the strikes that hit 12 Ukrainian regions, causing extensive damage to the energy sector. Russia, which initiated its full-scale invasion in February 2022, has been targeting Ukrainian energy facilities throughout the winter, leading to power outages and heating disruptions.
The attacks resulted in the tragic deaths of three energy workers near the Sloviansk power plant due to a Russian drone strike. The power infrastructure serving Odesa, a vital Black Sea port city in Ukraine, was severely damaged, with the repairs expected to be lengthy. Homes in five regions experienced power cuts, and disruptions in heating supply were reported in Odesa and Sumy, a key regional capital near the Russian border.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia deployed nearly 400 drones and 29 missiles, with some targets being hit despite most being intercepted. In response, Ukraine’s military confirmed a strike on the Ilsky oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region, causing a fire at one of the largest oil facilities in southern Russia.
Negotiators from Ukraine and Russia convened in Geneva for U.S.-mediated peace talks, focusing primarily on the contentious issue of land. President Zelenskyy urged Kyiv’s allies to apply more pressure on Russia for a fair and genuine peace agreement through tougher sanctions and increased military support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia demanded that Ukraine relinquish the remaining 20% of the Donetsk region, a demand that Kyiv has vehemently opposed.
The talks also touch on critical matters such as the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant’s control and the potential involvement of Western troops in postwar Ukraine. The negotiations shifted to Geneva following previous rounds held in Abu Dhabi earlier in the year. The U.S. delegation, led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, is expected to participate in the discussions, aiming to facilitate progress in resolving the conflict.