As direct talks between Russia and Ukraine are set to begin Sunday in Abu Dhabi, questions are mounting over the sincerity of a limited ceasefire announced by Moscow. Despite a stated pause in strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure following a request from former U.S. President Donald Trump, Russia’s defense ministry confirmed continued attacks on transportation hubs and ammunition depots during the weekend-a move raising doubts as negotiations loom while Ukraine continues to grapple with widespread power outages and disruptions to critical infrastructure, including its capital city’s subway system [[1]].
Direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv are scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, as Russia continues its military operations despite a stated pause in attacks targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
While Russia announced a temporary halt to strikes on power plants, its defense ministry confirmed Saturday that attacks continued on other targets, specifically transportation infrastructure and ammunition depots used by Ukrainian forces. The move casts doubt on the sincerity of the limited ceasefire as negotiations loom.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 85 drones overnight on Saturday. Initial reports indicated no immediate strikes on energy facilities. Russia also claimed to have intercepted and destroyed 47 drones and four glide bombs, but, as is typical, provided no details on any resulting damage.
The planned negotiations in Abu Dhabi represent a potential, though fragile, step toward a resolution to the ongoing conflict. Russia signaled its willingness to temporarily refrain from targeting energy infrastructure following a request from U.S. President Donald Trump, citing the extreme cold and existing damage to the system.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov stated that this limited pause in fire would only extend until Sunday, aiming to create a constructive environment for the talks. Trump had previously claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to a week-long ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged Trump’s claim but stated there was no formal agreement on a ceasefire between the warring parties. However, he indicated Ukraine would reciprocate and refrain from attacking Russian oil facilities if Russia honored its announcement.
Zelenskyy confirmed Friday that no energy facilities had been attacked, adding that, from his perspective, the week-long pause had been in effect since that day. He also reported that Russia had shifted its focus, now targeting transportation infrastructure.
In Kyiv, subway service was disrupted Saturday due to a voltage drop, with escalators also ceasing operation. City officials described the outage as temporary, but noted it was the most widespread disruption experienced since the start of the war. The red line, connecting districts on either side of the Dnipro River, is a crucial artery for the capital’s transportation network.
Kyiv, like many Ukrainian cities, is grappling with rolling blackouts and power outages due to damage to energy infrastructure sustained in Russian attacks. The city’s underground subway stations are being used as bomb shelters during the ongoing hostilities.
Moldova also experienced widespread power outages Saturday, with its energy system affected by the voltage drop in the Ukrainian grid. Traffic lights failed and power was cut to most districts of the capital, Chisinau.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed skepticism about Russian President Putin’s willingness to negotiate a peaceful end to the war in Ukraine. While acknowledging that Trump had spurred movement in peace talks, the SPD politician told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) that “so far, I see no indication that Russia genuinely wants peace.”
Pistorius pointed to the intensity of Russian bombing during the weekend’s US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi, describing it as “something we have rarely seen in this war.” He characterized the attacks as “terror directed exclusively against the civilian population – in winter with temperatures of minus 20 degrees.” He added that Putin has shown no willingness to compromise when pressed. (APA/dpa)
