Russia has launched one of its largest attacks on Ukraine's energy sector, targeting more than 15 critical power generation and transmission facilities, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the Trump administration of easing pressure on Moscow by waiving major new sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia. The assault came after President Donald Trump issued an executive order waiving sanctions, restrictions and duties under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which had been designed to increase economic pressure on Moscow.
Saturday local time, Russia used more than 320 Shahed drones and other weapons against Ukraine's energy infrastructure, cities and communities, Zelensky wrote on X. In its broader account of the overnight assault, Ukraine's Air Force said on Telegram that Russia launched 332 drones overnight, including 31 jet-powered models, along with ballistic and cruise missiles, according to Ukrinform. Air defenses shot down or suppressed 293 aerial targets, while hits were recorded at 22 locations.
Newsweek reached out to the White House and Ukraine’s embassy for comment on Saturday. Zelensky directly linked his criticism of the Trump administration's sanctions decision to the scale of the Russian assault. The order sets a 500 percent tariff on Russian goods and potential 100 percent tariffs on goods from certain major purchasers of Russian oil and gas, but waives their application.
The waivers remain in place until Trump or the secretary of state, in consultation with other administration officials, determines that further action is appropriate. The order does not eliminate sanctions against Russia imposed under earlier executive orders. Trump's decision has drawn criticism from members of both parties, including several Republicans.
Russia has intensified its campaign against Ukraine's power system as colder weather approaches, targeting electricity generation, transmission and other critical infrastructure. Zelensky said the scale and pace of the attacks were creating severe consequences despite Ukraine intercepting a significant proportion of Russia's weapons. Pressure is needed to stop this.” The sanctions dispute comes amid a broader shift in economic relations between Washington and Moscow.
Trump announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 9 under which Russia would make additional diesel supplies available to U.S. and global markets. The Treasury Department subsequently authorized certain transactions involving Russian-origin diesel. Trump has said the arrangement is intended to increase global supplies and reduce diesel costs, particularly for American farmers, truckers and families, as affordability remains a political concern ahead of the November midterm elections.
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