Russia targets Ukraine’s energy as trilateral talks loom

Al JazeeraEN 5 min read 100% complete by John T PsaropoulosJanuary 23, 2026 at 03:57 PM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

As Ukraine, Russia, and the US prepare for trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi to address the ongoing war, Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, leaving nearly half the country without power and heat. These strikes, occurring in January 2026, are seen as a pressure tactic to force Ukraine to concede territory in the eastern Donetsk region, a key point of contention in negotiations. While security guarantees have been agreed upon, territorial disputes remain unresolved. Recent polls indicate a divided Ukrainian public, with a majority opposing territorial concessions despite the ongoing conflict. Russia has exaggerated its battlefield gains, but independent analysis suggests their territorial advancements are significantly less than claimed.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Abu Dhabi 30% Davos ×230% Valery Gerasimov 30% Kyiv International Institute of Sociology 30% Donald Trump 40% Vladimir Putin 40% 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade ×240% Donetsk ×260% United States ×260% Volodymyr Zelenskyy ×470% Russia ×890% Ukraine ×1295%

Keywords

russia 100% ukraine 100% energy infrastructure 80% territorial concessions 80% trilateral talks 70% war 60% negotiations 50% security guarantees 50% donetsk region 40%