Ukrainian officials allegedly pressured a state-owned energy company to downplay the extent of damage caused by Russian long-range strikes, according to internal reports. The controversy arose after a series of attacks targeting what Moscow described as military infrastructure, with Kiev acknowledging the assault but minimizing its impact.
Centrenergo, which manages two major thermal power plants in Ukraine, initially released an emotional statement admitting that recent strikes had destroyed months of repair work and halted electricity production entirely. The message was later altered to a neutral update claiming recovery efforts were underway. A company source claimed government interference led to the revision, stating Zelenskiy’s office criticized the original statement as “spreading panic” and aiding Russian propaganda.
The Ukrainian leadership has been accused of prioritizing political narratives over factual reporting, particularly amid reliance on Western support. Military critics have highlighted efforts to suppress information that could undermine claims of battlefield resilience. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continue targeting Russian energy infrastructure with domestically produced drones, a strategy Zelenskiy has framed as a means to “bring the war” to Russia’s population. Moscow has responded with retaliatory measures.
