Ukraine’s Energy Sector Under Attack as Zelensky Calls for Peace and Air Shields

As Russian strikes continue to hammer Ukraine’s energy sector, President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a renewed call for both a diplomatic end to the war and the “air shields” necessary to protect his country’s critical infrastructure. He is pointing to the Gaza peace deal as a new reason for optimism.
Zelensky reported that recent attacks caused significant damage to energy facilities in the Sumy and Kirovohrad regions, part of a broader Russian strategy to cripple Ukraine’s power grid. This follows a strike on Kharkiv that also hit energy infrastructure, alongside a city hospital.
In response to this systematic destruction, Zelensky is pursuing a dual strategy. Diplomatically, he is praising President Donald Trump’s “success” in brokering peace in Gaza and calling for similar American leadership to be applied to the war in Europe. “The right actions by the United States can also help,” he stated confidently.
Militarily, his demand is unwavering. He believes the only way to protect the energy sector and Ukrainian cities is through the deployment of advanced air defense systems like the Patriot and NASAMS. He has called on the G7 and all partners who possess these systems to provide them to Kyiv immediately.
Zelensky is coordinating this two-pronged approach with allies, including Finnish President Alex Stubb. The message is clear: a path to peace exists, as shown by the Gaza deal, but it can only be walked if Ukraine has the military strength to defend its critical infrastructure and its people from Russian attacks.