Ukraine and Russia trade strikes on energy sites despite ceasefire talks

Ukraine and Russia exchanged fresh strikes on energy infrastructure overnight, undermining talks of an energy ceasefire as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepares to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly. Ukraine hit two Russian oil refineries, while Russia launched missiles at southern Ukraine, severely damaging a Naftogaz facility beyond repair. Trump and Zelenskyy discussed de-escalation steps by phone Sunday, but the Kremlin conditions any moratorium on lifting Western sanctions. The strikes have cut Russian gasoline output by 20% and diesel by nearly 30%, causing domestic shortages and higher global prices. Ukrainian civilians express widespread skepticism about negotiations, with air defences struggling against faster Russian jet-powered drones ahead of winter.