Ukraine Freezes as Russia Resumes Energy War After Week-Long Pause

Tents pitched on subway platforms. Families huddled around communal heating centers. More than 1,100 apartment buildings in Kyiv without power as temperatures plummet to -20°C. After a week-long pause requested by Donald Trump, Russia has resumed its systematic assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, plunging thousands back into darkness and bitter cold.

The End of Trump's "Ceasefire"

Vladimir Putin kept his word—technically. The Russian president honored Trump's request for a one-week pause in attacks, which the US president acknowledged: "Putin kept his word... it was Sunday to Sunday." But as soon as that week ended, the missiles and drones returned with devastating precision.

More than 200 repair crews are now working around the clock to restore power in Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced. The damage is severe: Kyiv's Darnytsia Combined Heat and Power plant has been "severely damaged," while a power plant in northeastern Kharkiv is damaged beyond repair.

The timing reveals the calculated nature of Russia's strategy. The pause allowed Ukrainian engineers to begin repairs, only to see their work undone within hours of the ceasefire's end.

Life in the Dark

Iryna Vovk, a psychologist living in Kyiv with her daughter while her husband fights at the front, captures the human cost: "Here in Kyiv, life is very awful." Her daughter can't study normally or attend online lessons. Vovk is considering moving to her parents' village—a decision millions of urban Ukrainians now face.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported intercepting most of the 100+ drones launched early Wednesday, but strikes hit 14 locations. In eastern Druzhkivka, Russian cluster bombs killed seven people and wounded 15 at a busy market. The choice of target—a civilian marketplace—underscores the deliberate nature of attacks designed to terrorize ordinary people.

Meanwhile, authorities are importing more generators and setting up warming centers, but these are temporary fixes for systematic destruction. As Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal warned, Ukraine's energy system will take significant time to repair.

Peace Talks in the Desert

While Ukrainians freeze, diplomats gather in Abu Dhabi's air-conditioned conference rooms for the second round of trilateral peace talks. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, are leading American efforts to broker a deal.

But the fundamental contradiction remains: Russia demands Ukraine cede the remaining parts of the Donbas region it doesn't currently control, while Ukraine refuses to reward aggression with territorial concessions. The first round of talks ended with no apparent progress, and few signs suggest this round will be different.

Trump's approach reveals the complexity of his promised quick resolution. His influence secured a one-week pause, but Putin's immediate return to attacks demonstrates the limits of personal diplomacy when dealing with strategic objectives.

The Energy War's Logic

Russia's targeting of civilian infrastructure isn't random—it's a calculated strategy to break Ukrainian morale through suffering. By attacking power plants rather than just military targets, Russia forces Ukraine to choose between defending the front lines and protecting civilian infrastructure.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the attacks "barbaric" and "particularly depraved," but condemnation doesn't restore electricity or heat. The question becomes whether this strategy will achieve Russia's goals or simply harden Ukrainian resistance.