A thermal power plant in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv was struck twice by Russian forces, resulting in significant fires at the facility. The attack occurred on Sunday, shortly after President-elect Donald Trump announced that both Russia and Ukraine had reached an agreement for an 'energy ceasefire.'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the strike, which has raised questions regarding the status of the reported ceasefire. While the Trump administration presented the ceasefire as a diplomatic breakthrough, the immediate military action in Kharkiv suggests that the agreement, if it exists, is not currently being observed on the ground. Local officials in Kharkiv provided details to media outlets regarding the extent of the damage, noting that the plant was hit twice.

There is a notable discrepancy between the diplomatic narrative provided by the incoming U.S. administration and the reality of the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. While the White House transition team characterized the energy ceasefire as a mutual commitment, the Russian military’s decision to target critical infrastructure indicates a continued reliance on energy-based warfare. Neither Russian officials nor Ukrainian military spokespeople have provided a detailed explanation for why the strike occurred immediately following the ceasefire announcement, leaving the status of any potential energy-related agreements in doubt.