Russian strike hits Kharkiv power plant hours after Trump declares energy ceasefire

On Oct. 11, Russian forces struck the CHP-5 combined-heat and power plant in Kharkiv, a blow announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky at about 8 p.m. local time. The attack came moments after former U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that an "ENERGY CEASEFIRE" between Russia and Ukraine was effective immediately. Following the plant strike, a Russian missile hit a grocery store in Kharkiv’s suburbs, killing three civilians and injuring nine, two of whom were children.

Ukrainian officials confirmed they had received no information about any ceasefire prior to Trump’s announcement. In an interview, Zelensky said Ukraine would accept a ceasefire if Trump and Vladimir Putin had arranged it and asked for details on its start. He also warned that Russia had carried out more than 200 strikes on Ukraine’s power grid and 17 attacks on gas and oil facilities in the past week, causing over 150 deaths and more than 700 injuries. Ukraine remains under martial law, which bars elections while the conflict continues.