Zelensky: Russia shelled Ukrainian energy infrastructure, awaiting US reaction

(Patria) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claims Russian artillery damaged Ukrainian energy infrastructure in the frontline city of Kherson, two days after the US announced that both sides had agreed to a ceasefire on energy facilities.

The United States announced separate agreements with Kyiv and Moscow on Tuesday to cease attacks on the energy sector and attacks in the Black Sea, the first such agreement since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January.

- All evidence will be prepared and sent to the US, and after that, we are awaiting their reaction because they told us they would respond to violations of the agreement - Zelensky said after a summit with European leaders in Paris.

Kherson Regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said efforts are continuing to restore electricity to consumers who were left without it after Russian shelling.

Moscow, in turn, accused Kyiv of using drones to attack energy facilities in the Russian regions of Kursk and Bryansk, and on the annexed Crimean peninsula. The Ukrainian army rejected these accusations.

"The Russian army continues to produce fake news and make unfounded accusations against Ukraine in order to prolong the war," the Ukrainian army announced on the Telegram application.

Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022 and now controls about 20 percent of Ukraine, claims to have been observing a ceasefire regarding energy attacks since March 18.

Ukraine says Russia has attacked eight Ukrainian energy facilities since that date.

Zelensky also said in Paris that he believes the Trump administration's stance towards Russia should be tougher, adding that Ukraine needs Washington's help to be strong in negotiations.