Russia launched strikes on a thermal power plant in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Sunday, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced an "ENERGY CEASEFIRE" between the warring nations. Ukrainian officials confirmed the attack, stating the CHP-5 power plant was hit at least twice, igniting a fire.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the strike on the Kharkiv plant, as well as another in Kyiv, noting the timing occurred after President Trump's public statement. The announcement of the ceasefire came via social media, where Trump stated both Russia and Ukraine had agreed to the immediate cessation of hostilities related to energy infrastructure.

According to a senior source within Ukraine's presidential office, President Zelenskyy was surprised by Trump's announcement and was only made aware of it through social media. While Ukraine expressed readiness to accept an immediate energy ceasefire if Russia reciprocated, they were reportedly caught off guard by the public declaration.

Hours before Trump's social media post, Zelenskyy had indicated Ukraine's willingness to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, provided Moscow ceased attacks on Ukraine's power infrastructure. In his evening address, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine's readiness to de-escalate attacks on Russian energy facilities and expressed hope for a similar commitment from Russia, questioning Moscow's desire for peace.

Russia has not yet issued any official comment regarding the energy ceasefire announcement or the subsequent strikes on Ukrainian power facilities. The Kremlin's silence leaves the status of the proposed ceasefire ambiguous, particularly given Ukraine's assertion that it was not pre-emptively informed of the agreement.

This development follows a pattern of Russian attacks targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The conflict, ongoing since Russia's full-scale invasion, has seen numerous strikes on power grids, leading to widespread disruptions for civilians.

President Trump's intervention in the conflict, particularly his announcement of a ceasefire, marks a significant, albeit potentially unilateral, diplomatic move. The effectiveness and sincerity of this proposed ceasefire now hinge on Russia's response and actions on the ground.

The situation leaves Ukraine in a precarious position, balancing its defensive needs with potential diplomatic openings. The coming days will likely reveal whether Russia acknowledges the proposed ceasefire and if attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure will indeed cease.