Russia strikes 15 Ukrainian energy sites as Zelenskyy urges backing on US sanctions

Russian forces launched a massive wave of missile and drone attacks targeting more than 15 energy sites across Ukraine overnight, threatening power supplies as the country heads into winter.

Ukraine's air force reported that Russian units fired four cruise missiles and 332 attack drones during the overnight assault. Air defence teams brought down all four cruise missiles and destroyed 289 drones, though falling debris and impacts caused severe damage to power infrastructure.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the strikes were already taking a heavy toll. "The sheer scale and unrelenting pace of Russia's strikes, specifically against our energy sector, are unfortunately having severe consequences," he said on Saturday.

What happened during the overnight barrage

Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's grid ahead of freezing weather, aiming to cut off heating and water supplies to wear down civilian resistance. Officials in Kyiv have cautioned that Russia is stockpiling further ballistic missiles for winter barrages.

Diplomatic friction over US sanctions pause

The bombardment arrived during an increasingly strained moment between Kyiv and Washington. US President Donald Trump signed an executive order pausing a sweeping package of economic restrictions on Moscow under the Lindsey Graham Act.

Zelenskyy urged international allies to speak out in defence of the stalled measures. "Unfortunately, a decision was made in America to completely disregard the Lindsey Graham Act, which was supposed to impose truly effective pressure on Russia to bring this war to an end," he wrote. He argued the legislation could still assist Ukraine if enacted, saying "every voice in support of it matters."

Kyiv's frustration has deepened following a recent US agreement allowing Russian diesel sales. Speaking to European Union leaders in Brussels, Zelenskyy condemned that deal, arguing it injects cash directly back into Moscow's war effort.

French President Emmanuel Macron also voiced unease, stating the diesel arrangement "is not good for anyone" and introduces division among Western partners.

Stalled negotiations and territorial claims

Trump previously claimed Ukraine and Russia had reached an understanding to avoid striking each other's energy plants. That arrangement quickly collapsed. Ukraine struck an oil refinery in Ryazan southeast of Moscow on Thursday, forcing the facility to suspend operations at a primary distillation unit.

Trump criticised Ukraine's strikes on Russian refineries for pushing global fuel prices higher, calling them a "disgrace" and denying that either he or Elon Musk played any part in temporary disruptions to Ukraine's access to Starlink satellite links.

Prospects for immediate peace discussions remain dim. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow is establishing a non-negotiable "security zone" inside Ukrainian territory along the border following Ukraine's earlier incursions into the Kursk region.

Zelenskyy has indicated readiness to join trilateral discussions convened by Washington, pointing to the upcoming G20 summit in the United States, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates as potential venues. However, neither Washington nor Moscow has confirmed plans for such talks.