Russia Plans to Resume Strikes on Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure Despite Ceasefire Talks

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on March 22 that Russia is ready to resume strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in retaliation for Ukrainian actions, signaling an intensification of its ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s critical energy facilities.

“Russia is ready to resume strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities in response to Kiev's [sic] attacks,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Despite discussions of a ceasefire on energy infrastructure, Russia has continued attacking civilian targets across Ukraine. On March 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking in Helsinki with Finnish President Stubb, noted that Russian actions contradicted statements made during Putin’s conversation with US President Trump, citing 150 drones launched overnight that hit energy facilities, transportation, and two hospitals.

On March 20, Ukrainian forces launched a significant drone strike on Russia’s Engels-2 airbase in the Saratov region, located approximately 700 kilometers from the front lines. Notably, the attack did not target energy infrastructure.

Earlier on March 21, US President Donald Trump, joined by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, discussed ongoing negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in the Oval Office.