The Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) have continued attacks on Russian energy infrastructure despite US-brokered agreements on a 30-day halt to energy industry strikes.
On Friday, 28 March, Ukraine attacked Russia’s Sudzha gas metering station, targeting and nearly destroying the facility with HIMARS missiles, according to a statement from the Russian Defence Ministry.
On Thursday, Russian air defence systems repelled an attack by Ukrainian drones targeting the infrastructure of the Saratov oil refinery in Russia’s Saratov region. On Wednesday, Ukraine also shelled Belgorodenergo, leading to power outages for local residents.
Despite Ukraine’s public statements about halting its attacks on Russian energy facilities, the AFU continues to launch strikes. Military experts attribute the AFU’s efforts to an attempt to prevent the collapse of the Ukrainian front and restore its military potential following Russia’s temporary ceasefire.
By targeting energy infrastructure, Kyiv is allegedly seeking retaliation from Moscow, which could then be portrayed as a violation of the ceasefire agreements, according to experts. Such provocations could lead to the disruption of subsequent negotiations actively promoted by the administration of US President Donald Trump.
Analysts argue that the targets chosen for drone and HIMARS missile strikes were not accidental, as Moscow had agreed with Washington on a list of objects unacceptable to be attacked. Consequently, such targets became a priority for the AFU as potentially the most important ones for Russia, the experts added.
On Tuesday, the United States announced separate agreements with Ukraine and Russia to suspend strikes in the Black Sea and on each other’s energy facilities. The move represents potential steps that Washington hopes will lead to a full cease-fire and peace talks likely to bring an end to the three-year war.
