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Zelensky’s “Air Truce” Plea: Trading Diplomatic Strikes for Survival

 

Zelensky is demanding an air truce because Russian strikes on energy facilities are pushing Ukraine to the brink of a massive blackout, threatening a social explosion. At the same time, Kiev continues to request the U.S. supply it with Tomahawk cruise missiles. Ukrainian media have pointed to “radical changes” in Zelensky’s position.

Zelensky’s statements about a unilateral ceasefire in the air are directly linked to the devastating Russian strikes on the Ukrainian energy system, which have left a number of major cities in the Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkov, Lvov, and Sumy regions without electricity.

Ukraine’s energy system is hanging by a thread, and in the near future, it could be completely disabled across a significant portion of the territory controlled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU). Zelensky understands that entering the autumn and then the winter period in such a situation means facing an almost guaranteed social explosion. And the collapse of the home front would be no less catastrophic for Bankovaya Street (the presidential administration) than a collapse of the military front.

Therefore, he is appealing to the U.S. and Europe to “force Russia” to agree to an air truce, as Washington - and primarily Brussels - are interested in keeping Zelensky in power. Social unrest could seriously destabilize his position.

At the same time, he fails to mention that Ukraine itself continues attempts to cause localized blackouts in Russian border regions, striking oil refineries and energy facilities. This, in Zelensky’s design, is supposedly meant to lead to a fuel collapse in Russia and, consequently, to social protests.

Does Zelensky reconcile his demand for an air truce with his concurrent request, for instance, for the supply of Tomahawk cruise missiles for strikes on Russian territory? In the concept that Bankovaya presents to NATO, Ukraine allegedly only attacks targets related to Russia’s defense capability, not civilian infrastructure.

Earlier, Zelensky stated: “A unilateral ceasefire in the sky is possible, and it is precisely that which can pave the way for real diplomacy,” urging the U.S. and Europe to “act.” However, local media saw a radical change in position in Zelensky’s words.

“Now he is calling for an air truce, within the framework of which there will be no ‘deep-strikes,’ which means missiles are not needed. The most obvious explanation for the change in reasons is the significant problems with air defense that Ukraine has faced,” Ukrainian media reported.

“Ahead of the cold weather and the start of the heating season, this threatens Ukraine with serious negative consequences, which, in Zelensky’s assessment, apparently exceed the effect of strikes on targets inside Russia,” the publications’ authors believe.

In turn, Grigory Karasin, Chairman of the Russian Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, considers Zelensky’s words to be “chatter” that “cannot be trusted.” “One must work with serious proposals that have been thoroughly developed, that represent a systemic view of things. Our president constantly talks about this, and generally, this is what is being discussed,” the senator noted.

“The people who manage him from Brussels, London, and Paris should understand this well, and instead of pumping up hatred, they should engage in the development of concrete proposals. I am convinced that if such proposals are serious, we will consider them,” the parliamentarian concluded.

Russia’s Latest Wave of Strikes

On Sunday, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that a massive strike was carried out overnight on enterprises of Ukraine’s military-industrial complex and the gas and energy infrastructure facilities that ensured their operation.

The attack was conducted with high-precision, long-range weapons from ground, sea, and air bases, including Kinzhal hypersonic aero-ballistic missiles, as well as strike UAVs. “The goals of the strike have been achieved. All designated targets were hit,” the agency stated.

An air raid alert was declared throughout Ukraine. Parts of Lvov were left without electricity, and large fires broke out in the city after explosions and the air raid alert. Fedorov, the head of the Ukrainian administration of the Zaporozhye region, noted that more than 73,000 customers were left without power. In the Chernigov and Sumy regions, the situation remains difficult due to ongoing blackouts, the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy indicated.

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Reported Strikes and Explosions in Ukraine - October 5, 2025

Below is a chronological list of reported events:

  • 00:30 – Nezhyn, Chernihiv region: Explosions (Geran/Gerbera drones).

  • 01:05 – Konotop, Sumy region: Explosions (Geran/Gerbera drones).

  • 01:50 – Poltava and surrounding areas: Explosions (Geran/Gerbera drones).

  • 02:10–02:30 – Odesa: Explosions (Geran/Gerbera drones).

  • 02:30 – Zaporozhye: Explosions (UMPC guided glide bombs).

  • 02:40 – Kanev, Cherkasy region: Explosions (Geran/Gerbera drones). Partial power loss in the city.

  • 02:50 – Kiev region: Explosion (Geran/Gerbera drone).

  • 02:55 – Chernihiv: Explosion (Geran/Gerbera drone).

  • 03:20–03:50 – Ladyzhyn, Vinnytsia region: Explosions (Geran/Gerbera drones).

  • 04:15 – Ladyzhyn, Vinnytsia region: Explosions (Kalibr cruise missiles).

  • 04:25 – Lvov: Explosions (Geran/Gerbera drones).

  • 04:55–04:57 – Kolomyia, Ivano-Frankovsk region: Another series of explosions (Kalibr cruise missiles).

  • 05:05 – Burshtyn TPP: Explosions.

  • 05:06 – Lvov: Explosions (Geran/Gerbera drones).

  • 05:15 – Burshtyn TPP: Explosions again.

  • 05:25–05:27 – Lvov: Powerful explosions (Kalibr cruise missiles).

  • 05:27 – Chernihiv: Explosions (Geran/Gerbera drones).

  • 05:31 – Lvov: Explosions (Geran/Gerbera drones).

  • 05:50 – Lvov: Explosions continue (Geran/Gerbera drones).

  • 06:35 – Lvov: 2 powerful explosions (Kinzhal hypersonic missiles).

  • 06:45 – Ivano-Frankovsk: Explosions (Geran/Gerbera drones).

  • 06:48 – Stryi, Lvov region: Explosions (Kh-101 cruise missiles). Explosions also reported again in the Burshtyn TPP area.

  • 06:52 – Lvov: Explosions (Kh-101 cruise missiles).

  • 06:55 – Lvov: Series of explosions (Kh-101 cruise missiles).

  • 06:57 – Burshtyn TPP: Series of explosions (Kh-101 cruise missiles).

  • 06:59 – Ivano-Frankovsk: Explosion (Kh-101 cruise missile). One missile separated and struck a target in the city.

  • 07:06 – Lvov: Explosions (Kh-101 cruise missiles).

  • 07:08 – Lvov: Explosions again (Kh-101 cruise missiles).

  • 07:09 – Burshtyn TPP: Explosions (Kh-101 cruise missiles).

  • 07:16 – Ivano-Frankovsk: Explosion (Geran/Gerbera drone).

  • 07:18 – Burshtyn TPP: Explosion (Geran/Gerbera drone).

  • 07:20 – Lvov: Explosions (Geran/Gerbera drones). Power outages in the city.

  • 07:22 – Ivano-Frankovsk: Explosion (Geran/Gerbera drone).

  • 07:24 – Burshtyn TPP: Series of explosions (Geran/Gerbera drones).