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KYIV, March 7 — Russian forces launched a large-scale missile assault overnight, striking Ukraine’s energy and gas infrastructure in their first major attack since the US halted intelligence sharing with Kyiv. The assault intensifies pressure on Ukraine as President Donald Trump pushes for a swift resolution to the war.

In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, seeking to reinforce Western support amid Trump’s diplomatic shift toward Moscow, proposed a truce covering air and sea operations but not ground troops—an idea initially suggested by France.

“The first step toward real peace is compelling the sole source of this war, Russia, to halt such attacks,” Zelenskiy stated on Telegram following the overnight strikes.

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 67 missiles and 194 drones, of which 34 missiles and 100 drones were intercepted. Officials from Kharkiv in the northeast to Ternopil in the west confirmed damage to energy infrastructure. In Kharkiv, eight people were injured, while in Poltava, two more—including a child—suffered injuries.

"Russia continues its energy terror," Energy Minister German Galushchenko said, confirming extensive damage to Ukraine’s energy and gas facilities.

Russia has frequently targeted Ukrainian cities with drone strikes, but this marks the first large-scale offensive since the US military aid and intelligence support were suspended earlier this week.

Strained US-Ukraine Relations

Ukraine’s ties with the US—previously its key ally—have deteriorated sharply following Zelenskiy’s tense exchange with Trump in the Oval Office last Friday. The US president, who had already labeled Zelenskiy a “dictator,” later suggested that the Ukrainian leader was an obstacle to his peace vision.

Attempting to repair relations, Zelenskiy announced on Tuesday that Kyiv was willing to engage in negotiations as soon as possible under Trump’s leadership, describing recent developments in Washington as “regrettable.”

In a bid to further engage with the US, Zelenskiy revealed he would travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman ahead of scheduled US-Ukraine talks later in the week.

Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who has already conducted extensive discussions with Russian officials, confirmed ongoing talks with Ukraine to establish a peace framework. He also confirmed a planned meeting in Saudi Arabia next week with Ukrainian representatives.

“Ukraine has sought peace from the very first moment of this war. The challenge is to compel Russia to end its aggression,” Zelenskiy stated on Telegram today.

However, a major divide remains between Washington and Kyiv on the terms of a potential peace agreement. While Ukraine insists on robust security guarantees, the US has been hesitant, instead pointing to a critical minerals agreement that Trump believes could suffice.

On the battlefield, Ukraine faces growing challenges, with Russian forces making steady advances in the eastern Donetsk region and intensifying pressure on Ukrainian troops defending positions in Russia’s Kursk region.

Escalating Attacks on Ukraine’s Energy Sector

Throughout the war, Russia has relentlessly targeted Ukraine’s power sector with missile and drone strikes, damaging nearly half of the country's electricity generation capacity and triggering rolling blackouts.

This year, Russian forces have increasingly focused on natural gas infrastructure, which is essential for heating, cooking, and industrial operations. The state energy company Naftogaz confirmed that production facilities had been hit but reported no casualties.

Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, was also forced to halt gas production at its facilities in the central Poltava region due to severe damage sustained in today’s attack.

Military analysts warn that the suspension of US military aid and intelligence support could further weaken Ukraine’s air defenses as it struggles with dwindling supplies of advanced missiles and reduced ability to track incoming attacks. — Reuters