Ukraine once more breaches US-brokered energy ceasefire

(MENAFN) The Russian Ministry of Defense has accused the Ukrainian military of repeatedly targeting energy infrastructure, including power lines and gas pipelines, violating the US-brokered ceasefire on energy strikes. This ceasefire was agreed upon by Moscow and Kiev following a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump on March 18, which called for a 30-day halt on attacks targeting energy infrastructure.

In a statement on Saturday, the Russian Ministry reported ten such attacks within the past 24 hours. Ukrainian forces allegedly damaged a power line and gas pipeline in the Belgorod Region, with additional drone strikes reported in the Bryansk Region, where power lines and substations were also hit. Further Ukrainian shelling reportedly caused damage to energy infrastructure in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Kherson Region.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the 30-day moratorium had expired, noting that, although Moscow saw some progress, the Ukrainian side had not adhered to the ceasefire. Since March 18, Russia has repeatedly accused Ukraine of breaching the ceasefire, while Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has claimed that his forces have respected the agreement.

In response, President Putin announced a temporary Easter truce from 18:00 Moscow time on April 20 to midnight on April 21, expressing hope that Ukraine would reciprocate. He also emphasized that Ukraine’s actions during this truce would reveal whether it is genuinely committed to negotiations to end the conflict, while urging Russian forces to stay alert and ready to respond to any violations or provocations.

MENAFN21042025000045015687ID1109452510