Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating an agreement that prohibits strikes on energy facilities, complicating the conflict further. The White House indicated both parties had previously agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure. Ukraine rejected Russia’s claims of attacks while asserting their own violation due to a recent strike affecting power supply.
On Thursday, both Russia and Ukraine accused one another of violating an agreement that prohibits strikes on energy facilities, further complicating the ongoing conflict that has persisted for three years. Russia claimed that Ukraine’s military targeted energy sites, while Ukraine countered by declaring a Russian strike, which left tens of thousands without power, as a breach of the agreement to halt attacks on energy infrastructure.
The White House had previously announced that both parties had mutually agreed to formulate measures aimed at implementing a cessation of strikes against energy infrastructure. Russia’s defense ministry asserted, “despite the Kyiv regime’s statements about the alleged cessation of strikes on Russian energy facilities, over the past 24 hours the Ukrainian Armed Forces have continued to strike energy infrastructure.”
Russia specifically accused Ukraine of launching a drone at an electricity facility in Bryansk on Wednesday and following up with artillery fire at a power unit the next day. Furthermore, it alleged that a drone was also directed at a gas storage site in Crimea. Ukraine dismissed these claims as false, with a senior Ukrainian official informing AFP of their stance that a Russian strike constituted a violation of the agreements.
The official indicated, “there has been shelling, seemingly not aimed at the energy sector, but the energy sector was affected,” referring to an artillery strike in Kherson that disrupted electricity for 67,000 residents. They concluded by stating, “we qualify this as a clear violation.”
In summary, the accusations exchanged between Russia and Ukraine regarding violations of the energy strikes agreement complicate the ongoing conflict further. Both nations have presented opposing claims concerning their military actions and breaches of the terms established by the agreement, jeopardizing any potential steps toward de-escalation in this protracted war.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
