Russia accuses Ukraine of escalating energy attacks despite US-brokered moratorium

Russia’s Defence Ministry on Saturday accused Ukraine of ramping up attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, claiming that Ukrainian forces had struck targets 14 times within a 24-hour period despite an informal moratorium brokered by the United States.

In a statement posted on Telegram, the ministry said Kyiv had “multiplied the number of unilateral attacks using drones and artillery shells on the energy infrastructure of Russian regions.” The statement did not specify which regions were hit, nor did it detail the extent of the damage.

The accusation comes amid increasing concern in Washington and European capitals over escalating tit-for-tat attacks on civilian infrastructure, which threaten to further destabilize energy supplies in the region and widen the conflict.

According to previous reports, U.S. officials had privately urged both Moscow and Kyiv to exercise restraint in targeting critical infrastructure, in an effort to avoid further disruption and humanitarian fallout. However, recent weeks have seen a rise in cross-border strikes, particularly drone assaults on oil refineries and power facilities.

Ukraine has not officially responded to the latest Russian claims, though Ukrainian officials have previously defended such strikes as legitimate responses to Russia’s continued aggression and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.

Analysts say the alleged increase in Ukrainian strikes may reflect a shift in battlefield strategy as Kyiv seeks to apply pressure deep inside Russian territory ahead of the summer months, when energy demand typically wanes but preparation for winter begins.

The U.S. has not publicly commented on the latest developments, but officials have reiterated their focus on containing the conflict and avoiding further escalation that could have global repercussions.

With the war now in its third year, attacks on infrastructure have become a central and increasingly controversial feature of the conflict, testing the limits of international law and diplomatic mediation.