'Russia does not consider Trump’s statements strong,' Zelensky pleads for help as Russia targets energy grid

Russia struck Ukraine’s energy and critical infrastructure overnight with 39 ballistic missiles and more than 120 attack drones and loitering munitions, leaving at least 600,000 people without power, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in a post on X. The targets were in Kyiv, the Kyiv region, and Kharkiv.

Zelensky said 26 facilities of Ukraine’s power system and four facilities in the oil and gas sector were damaged, and that there were fatalities and injuries. He warned that outages could become even more widespread and thanked repair crews, Ukrainian energy workers and State Emergency Service personnel for their efforts.

Zelensky also pointed out that the ballistic missile strike hit energy infrastructure covered by the ceasefire announced by President Donald Trump. “The strike was entirely deliberate and demonstrative in its scale – Russia has never before shown such ostentatious disrespect toward the United States," the Ukrainian president said, adding, "Russia does not consider the American President’s statements strong.”

Zelensky then called for a forceful response. “We ask America and EVERYONE in the world who does not turn a blind eye to reality to respond – and to respond forcefully,” he said. “Russia has squandered the opportunity for de-escalation and has clearly chosen to continue its insane war of annihilation.”

In the post, the Ukrainian President specifically asked Trump to impose strong sanctions on Russia, noting that the Lindsey Graham bill, recently passed and signed into law, authorizes and regulates such measures. "The American President has all the effective and necessary tools to bring peace closer through strength, justice, and pressure on the aggressor. We ask for additional packages of Patriot missile interceptors for Ukraine."

Zelensky concluded his lengthy post by stating, “It is entirely fair for us to tell the United States, Europe, and all our partners that no country in the world should be left alone to face such a deranged and pro-war actor as Russia.”

Separately, Serhii Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, said SpaceX has partially restricted Starlink service in Ukraine, specifically its Starshield military package. The limit caps terminals at 100 miles per hour while in motion.

“I confirm that SpaceX has implemented speed limits for Starlink terminals while in motion, starting tonight,” Beskrestnov wrote on Telegram. “Currently, the restriction applies to the ‘military package’ of Starshield services and is set at a speed of 100 miles per hour. Our defense forces were not notified of this restriction, and it has resulted in the disruption of several missions. It is clear that this action is not coincidental and is related to the current political situation.”

He did not say which political situation he meant or offer evidence for the link.