Russia and Ukraine said they had halted strikes on each other's energy infrastructure, but disagreed on the pause's duration: the Kremlin signalled an end on Sunday while Kyiv announced a one-week moratorium from Friday midnight. Ukrainian officials reported almost no strikes in the prior 24 hours but warned Russia had shifted to targeting logistics and rail hubs. Delays in PURL payments reportedly postponed Patriot missile deliveries to Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Air Force said Russia launched a ballistic missile and 111 drones overnight. Severe cold and hundreds of homes without heating raise urgent humanitarian concerns as diplomatic talks remain uncertain.
Energy Truce? Russia and Ukraine Pause Strikes on Energy Infrastructure, Clash Over Moratorium Length as Talks Stall
An emergency service truck stands next to an apartment building, which was hit during overnight Russian drone strikes in the town of Bilohorodka, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the Kyiv region, Ukraine, January 28, 2026. REUTERS/Alina Smutko
Russia and Ukraine announced on Friday that they had halted strikes on one another's energy infrastructure, but disagreement over the moratorium's length and uncertainty about follow-up diplomacy left the ceasefire fragile.
What Happened
The Kremlin said it had agreed to U.S. President Donald Trump's request to suspend strikes on energy targets that have recently knocked out power and heating across Kyiv. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated the pause would end on Sunday, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced a one-week moratorium starting at midnight on Friday.
Zelenskiy said there had been virtually no strikes in the previous 24 hours, but he and Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko warned Moscow had shifted tactics to target logistical hubs, notably railway junctions. Ukraine reported seven recent drone attacks on rail infrastructure.
Human Impact
Recent Russian strikes on Kyiv's energy network have left hundreds of thousands without heat during subzero temperatures. Zelenskiy said 378 residential high-rise buildings remained without heating, and forecasters predicted temperatures could fall as low as -26°C (about -15°F) from Sunday — heightening the humanitarian stakes of any pause in attacks.
Security, Arms and Defence
In a separate briefing, Zelenskiy said delays by European allies in payments under the PURL weapons procurement programme had left Ukraine's air defences depleted, delaying delivery of U.S. Patriot missiles ahead of heavy airstrikes this month. The Ukrainian Air Force also reported that Russia launched a ballistic missile and 111 drones in its latest overnight attacks, and Zelenskiy said the missile damaged warehouses belonging to U.S. company Philip Morris in Kharkiv region.
Diplomatic Fallout
Zelenskiy said he did not know when the next meeting of Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators — originally scheduled for Sunday in the United Arab Emirates — would take place, adding that developments between the United States and Iran could affect timing and location. Moscow sources told Reuters that Kirill Dmitriev, President Putin's special envoy, was due to travel to Miami for talks with U.S. officials.
Despite claims of a temporary pause in strikes, Kyiv residents expressed deep scepticism. "I trust neither Putin nor Trump," said one Kyiv pensioner, reflecting widespread doubts about whether a short pause will deliver lasting relief.
Outlook
Moves toward a sector-specific pause come as Russian forces continue their grinding offensive in Donetsk and maintain near-daily drone attacks well beyond the front lines. Core political disagreements remain unresolved, including Russia's demand for control of the Donetsk territories and influence over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, leaving prospects for a broader settlement unclear.
Key Quote: "In all our regions, there were indeed no strikes on energy facilities from Thursday night to Friday," Zelenskiy said. "Ukraine is ready in reciprocal terms to refrain from strikes and today we did not strike at Russian energy facilities."
(Reporting consolidated from Reuters; additional reporting and editing acknowledged.)
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