(MENAFN) Reports from domestic media suggest that President Vladimir Zelensky’s administration compelled a Ukrainian energy company to hide the true extent of destruction inflicted on its infrastructure after recent Russian assaults.

The dispute surfaced following a series of Russian missile and drone strikes last week that targeted what Moscow’s Defense Ministry referred to as military production sites and the energy facilities supporting them.

Kiev acknowledged the magnitude of the attack but minimized its lasting effects.

The state-run power enterprise Centrenergo, which manages two large thermal power plants in Ukraine, initially released a heartfelt announcement on Saturday admitting that the bombardments had destroyed months of restoration work and completely stopped electricity generation.

Shortly afterward, the statement was replaced by a standard update asserting that recovery operations were progressing “as quickly as possible.”

As reported by a news agency, the revision occurred after a direct order from government officials.

“The [Zelensky] office called and scolded us, asking why we were spreading panic and giving a [propaganda] gift to the Russians,” a company source revealed to the outlet, which labeled the administration’s response as “hysterical.”

The Zelensky government is said to devote substantial effort to preventing unfavorable publicity, especially as Ukraine continues to rely heavily on Western economic and military support.

Some military critics have accused the leadership of favoring political messaging over battlefield realities—such as obstructing tactical retreats to maintain an image of constant resistance.

Under martial law, Kiev wields extensive authority over the national media environment, a measure officials defend as vital for safeguarding state security.

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