Russia strikes energy plant hours after Putin and Trump agree ‘pause’ in attacks

Russia has attacked a Ukrainian energy plant just hours after agreeing to a 30-day pause on attacking crucial infrastructure.

US President Donald Trump said he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a ‘very good and productive’ call on Tuesday toward ending the Ukraine war. But only hours later the Kremlin hit energy infrastructure in Slovyansk, a city in the Donetsk region, leaving large swathes of the city of 100,000 people without power.

In response, Russia accused Ukraine of launching air attacks and the Kremlin said it had shot down 57 Ukrainian drones.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said his country and Russia ‘can reach the agreement’ not to strike infrastructure – with the US supporting continuing negotiations – but has since accused Putin of ‘effectively rejecting’ a ceasefire.

In a statement on X last night he said: ‘Unfortunately, there have been hits, specifically on civilian infrastructure.

‘Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire.’

Ukrainian officials also said drone attacks in Sumy, in the country’s north east, damaged two hospitals. Nobody was injured but both hospitals were forced to evacuate staff and patients.

A 60-year-old man was injured and several civilian homes were damaged in a Russian drone attack on the Kyiv region, its governor said.

Trump touted the results of the 90-minute call with Putin on Truth Social on Tuesday afternoon.

‘We agreed to an immediate Ceasefire on all Energy and Infrastructure, with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine,’ wrote Trump.

‘Many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed, including the fact that thousands of soldiers are being killed, and both President Putin and President Zelenskyy would like to see it end.