On Sunday, Ukrainian drones launched strikes targeting energy infrastructure in areas of southern Ukraine currently under Russian control, resulting in power outages for hundreds of thousands of residents.

Ukrainian authorities described the attack as a strategy to “weaponize winter,” mirroring earlier Russian assaults on Ukraine’s power grid. Meanwhile, Russia’s retaliatory attacks persisted through the night, reportedly claiming the lives of two individuals, according to Ukrainian sources.

In the southern Zaporizhzhia region, which remains under Russian occupation, over 200,000 households were left without electricity, as reported by the region’s governor, who was appointed by the Kremlin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the difficulties in repairing the country’s energy infrastructure in a Telegram update, stating, “While the situation is challenging, we are committed to restoring power as swiftly as possible.”

Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a press conference. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

He said that two people were killed in overnight attacks across the country that struck Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi and Odesa.

In total, more than 1,300 attack drones, 1,050 guided aerial bombs and 29 missiles of various types were used by Russia to strike Ukraine this week, Ukraine says.

Meanwhile, discussions continue between the U.S., Ukraine and Russia in an effort to secure a peace deal. Zelenskyy has consistently argued Russia is not committed to the peace process.

A serviceman of the 148th Separate Artillery Zhytomyr Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, fires a M777 Howitzer towards Russian troops at a position on the front line, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine. (Anatolii Stepanov/Reuters)

“If Russia deliberately delays the diplomatic process, the world’s response should be decisive: more help for Ukraine and more pressure on the aggressor,” Zelenskyy said Sunday.

President Donald Trump argued last week, however, that it was Ukraine, not Russia, holding up a possible peace agreement.

“I think he’s ready to make a deal,” Trump told Reuters of Putin. “I think Ukraine is less ready to make a deal.”

When he was asked why U.S. intervention had not brought about an end to the war, Trump responded: “Zelenskyy,” Reuters reported.

President Donald Trump is pushing Zelenskyy to accept a peace deal. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo)

Trump refused to go into detail on why he believed Zelenskyy was holding back, saying that he believes the Ukrainian president was “having a hard time getting there,” referring to a peace agreement. However, later in the interview, Trump said he would be willing to meet with Zelenskyy at the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.