Kiev violates energy ceasefire with ten strikes on Russian infrastructure

In recent days, Ukraine has increased its military activities against Russia, specifically targeting energy infrastructure. In a notable incident, the Ukrainian military reportedly launched ten strikes within a 24-hour period, focusing on power lines and a gas pipeline in several Russian regions, specifically in Belgorod and Bryansk. This activity has occurred against the backdrop of a US-mediated ceasefire that was expected to last for 30 days following a call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump on March 18, 2025. The Russian Defense Ministry has accused Ukraine of violating this agreement, stating that these unilateral attacks on energy infrastructure represent a significant breach of trust. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, noted that while Russia adhered to the ceasefire, it was the Ukrainian side that failed to comply. He emphasized the positive reception of the moratorium initiative by the Russian Federation, despite admitting the violations committed by Ukraine. Adding to the tension, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary Easter truce set to begin on the evening of April 19, 2025. This truce is seen as an opportunity to assess Ukraine's willingness to engage in more meaningful negotiations to resolve the ongoing conflict. Putin has expressed concerns over the repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement, claiming that Ukraine has acted over one hundred times against the terms established. The Russian government is monitoring Ukraine's military actions closely and has indicated a readiness to respond firmly to any further provocations. The situation continues to escalate, raising questions about the future of diplomatic relations between the two nations and the effectiveness of mediated ceasefires in reducing hostilities.