ISTANBUL 

Russia is "preparing new attacks" on Ukraine's energy infrastructure before and after Orthodox Easter, which is on April 20, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday.

"We know what Russia is preparing for. Now, ahead of Easter, and after it, new Russian attacks are possible," Zelenskyy said at a meeting with energy workers, citing information from Ukrainian intelligence.

He praised the work of energy personnel for keeping the country powered through winter despite repeated attacks.

Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said Russia carried out 13 large-scale drone and missile assaults against Ukraine’s energy system since the start of 2024, leading to emergency blackouts across the country.

A partial ceasefire on energy infrastructure strikes was announced by Russia and Ukraine after technical talks with the US in Riyadh in late March. However, officials from both countries have accused each other of violating the truce since then.