KYIV, Ukraine – Russian forces launched a massive overnight missile and drone assault on Ukraine’s energy and gas infrastructure, marking the first large-scale attack since the United States suspended military intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
The strike adds new urgency to Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts as President Donald Trump pushes for a quick resolution to the three-year war.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia fired 67 missiles and 194 drones, of which 34 missiles and 100 drones were intercepted.
The barrage caused significant damage across multiple regions, with reports of injured civilians in Kharkiv and Poltava, including a child.
“Russia continues its energy terror,” Energy Minister German Galuschenko said. “Once again, critical infrastructure across Ukraine has been hit by massive missile and drone fire.”
The attack underscores Ukraine’s growing vulnerability as it struggles to defend itself amid dwindling military aid from the U.S.
The timing of the strike—days after Washington halted intelligence sharing—raises concerns about Ukraine’s ability to track and counter incoming threats effectively.
In response to the assault, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy renewed calls for a partial ceasefire covering air and sea operations, though not ground combat.
The proposal, first floated by France, appears aimed at preventing further destruction while keeping pressure on Moscow.
“The first steps to real peace should be forcing the sole source of this war—Russia—to stop these attacks,” Zelenskiy said on Telegram.
Ukraine’s relationship with the U.S., once its strongest ally, has hit a breaking point.
Trump and Zelenskiy’s tense meeting in Washington last week ended in open discord, with Trump labeling the Ukrainian leader an “obstacle” to peace.
Kyiv has since signaled a willingness to negotiate, though differences remain over the terms of a potential settlement.
Zelenskiy is set to travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, ahead of a meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian officials later in the week.
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who has already held discussions with Russian officials, confirmed that negotiations on a possible peace framework are in motion.
“Ukraine is ready to pursue the path to peace, and it has strived for peace from the very first second of this war. The task is to force Russia to stop,” Zelenskiy reiterated Friday.
While diplomacy plays out, Ukraine’s military situation is growing more precarious. Russian forces continue advancing in the Donetsk region, while Ukrainian troops struggle to hold positions near Russia’s Kursk region. Outgunned and outmanned, Kyiv faces increasing pressure on multiple fronts.
Meanwhile, Moscow’s strategy of targeting energy infrastructure has intensified.
The latest strikes hit gas production facilities, forcing Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, to halt operations in Poltava after suffering significant damage.
Naftogaz, Ukraine’s state-run energy company, also reported hits on production sites but confirmed no casualties.
Unlike previous waves of attacks that focused on power plants, Russia has shifted its aim toward natural gas infrastructure, critical for heating, cooking, and industrial production.
Ukraine’s ability to withstand future attacks may be further weakened by the pause in U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing.
Analysts warn that Kyiv’s air defenses could struggle to fend off incoming strikes as supplies of advanced missiles run low.
With Trump reluctant to offer robust security guarantees, Kyiv is pressing for alternative commitments, including a critical minerals agreement that Washington believes could help offset security concerns.
However, whether the two sides can bridge their differing visions for ending the war remains an open question.
