Russian Strikes on Ukraine's Energy Infrastructure: A Blow Before Talks

Russian forces launched aggressive strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, leading to the deaths of three energy workers and significant power outages affecting tens of thousands, according to officials on Tuesday.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy strongly condemned the strikes, which hit 12 regions of Ukraine and came hours before U.S.-backed peace talks involving Kyiv and Moscow were set to begin in Geneva. Zelenskiy accused Russia of executing a coordinated attack designed to maximize damage to Ukraine's energy sector, advocating for diplomacy that emphasizes justice and resilience.

Russia's strategic strikes have consistently disrupted Ukrainian energy facilities throughout the winter. The recent attack involved a Russian drone that killed three workers near the Sloviansk power plant. Energy infrastructure in Odesa, crucial to the country's strategic Black Sea port city, sustained 'incredibly serious' damage, prolonging repair efforts.