A key energy facility supplying Kyiv with heating and electricity was struck by a Russian ballistic missile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced.
The attack on CHPP-4, also known as Darnytska CHP-4, and a residential building occurred late Tuesday. Zelensky stated the strike came with "no early warning from our partners." Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that one person was killed and 13 injured in the strike on the apartment block, with four individuals in serious condition.
This incident follows an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump two days prior that an energy ceasefire had been agreed upon by Russia and Ukraine. However, Kyiv reported multiple Russian strikes after Trump's statement. Zelensky expressed frustration on social media, saying, "Ukraine supported an energy ceasefire. Russia is targeting yet another power plant and the lives of our people." He further characterized the situation as "absolutely unjust" given the destruction of Ukrainian energy infrastructure without early warnings of ballistic missile launches.
"It is important that the United States really see what is happening and who is responsible for this war continuing," Zelensky added, calling for global attention to the matter.
This marks the second consecutive night that Kyiv has been targeted by Russian missiles. Speculation arose after Monday night's strikes that America might have restricted access to crucial intelligence that helps Ukraine track incoming threats. Earlier on Tuesday, Trump denied these claims, stating, "We are helping them and we are sharing intel." He indicated a desire for the war's end, saying, "We want the war to end. So we're working with them and with Russia on getting the war to end."
When questioned about Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy sites, Trump remarked, "Ukraine hit many sites the day before." He declined to confirm whether Russia had violated a ceasefire, reiterating that both nations wish for the conflict to conclude but are uncertain of the path forward.
These events unfold after Zelensky stated on Sunday that a 60-day ceasefire could facilitate Ukraine's presidential elections. This comment followed remarks from Trump suggesting, "it's time for Ukraine to get a new president."
Following Trump's announcement on Sunday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commented that Ukraine did not merit the "respite" a ceasefire would provide. Lavrov also suggested that a ceasefire would enable Europe to supply Ukraine with additional weapons, prolonging the conflict.
CHPP-4, which provides heating and electricity to Kyiv's Dniprovskyi and parts of the Darnytskyi districts, has been a repeated target during the war. The facility was significantly damaged in a separate Russian missile attack in February of this year, leading to its temporary shutdown. That earlier strike left over 1,000 residential buildings, 47 schools, 72 kindergartens, and 18 medical institutions without heating and hot water, according to reports from Reuters.