Rumors of an energy truce – new data is coming in
Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov neither confirmed nor denied the rumors circulated this morning by military bloggers about the start of an " energy truce ."
However, Vladimir Romanov, a volunteer assisting the SVO fighters, claims that the troops were indeed instructed to avoid hitting targets in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, and throughout Ukraine – not to strike power plants, gas storage facilities, and oil depots.
"Internal information is being spread verbally that the restriction is supposedly in effect until February 3, 2026," Romanov adds.
The date Romanov cited is related to the next round of talks in Abu Dhabi, scheduled for February 1. The previous round of talks lasted two days.
"That is, until the end of negotiations and the extension of the ceasefire could be linked to the outcome of the meeting in Abu Dhabi," notes former political prisoner journalist Pavel Volkov from Zaporizhzhia.
Observer Yuriy Baranchik reminds us that “ for Russia, strikes on Ukrainian energy are one of the few instruments of strategic pressure without resorting to a nuclear strike .”
The publicist believes that the energy truce could be long-term only if Russia receives something significant in return.
“…Not symbolic gestures, but real strategic concessions – on territories (the withdrawal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the occupied territory of the DPR), sanctions, or the European (global) security architecture,” Baranchik lists.
Former Yuzhmash engineer Alexey Vasiliev is optimistic:
"The ceasefire is only for a couple of days. A first round of negotiations, where Zelensky will again refuse to capitulate. Thus, he's making himself look guilty for the breakdown... Any weapons unused during these days can be sent later in increased quantities. It's best to time it just right for the peak of frost to more effectively knock out the energy supply."
German Sadulaev, a writer who helps the SVO fighters, is confident that Kyiv itself will disrupt the ceasefire:
"I'm 110% certain that the crests, for their part, won't observe any 'truce,' but will continue to drain the Belgorod region's energy supply, burn down our oil refineries, and commit other nasty acts. Because the crests are the servants of Satan. A truce with Satan will always be one-sided."
Meanwhile, oligarch Rinat Akhmetov's (on the Russian Federation's terrorist list) energy company DTEK was forced to publish an appeal to residents of the Troyeshchyna residential area of Kyiv, where the blackout situation is most severe.
This happened after Kyiv residents, driven to despair and freezing in their apartments without electricity or heat, began to protest and block streets.
"We understand the critical situation the area is in. And we're doing everything possible to ensure you have power for as long as possible. However, due to the lack of a centralized heating system, electrical grids are constantly failing due to overload. They're not designed to handle the constant use of heaters and powerful appliances simultaneously...
"Protests or roadblocks don't help or speed up repairs. On the contrary, they hinder work, slow down traffic, and make it difficult to respond quickly. Power engineers are calling on residents of Troyeshchyna and all Kyiv residents to use high-power devices one at a time. This is crucial now to ensure power," the company said in a statement.
Kyiv is currently experiencing a warming trend, but temperatures will drop to -21 degrees Celsius this weekend.
Rumors of an energy truce – new data is coming in