MP Shvytkin called the attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Russian energy facilities a provocation

Another attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) on Russian energy facilities after statements about the suspension of such strikes is a provocation that the Russian side should not respond to. Yuri Shvytkin, Deputy chairman of the State Duma's Defense committee, told Izvestia on March 27.

Earlier in the day, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked storage facilities and substations in the Crimea, Bryansk and Kursk regions with the help of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) after statements about the alleged cessation of strikes on Russian energy facilities.

According to him, such actions by the Kiev regime indicate that it is doing everything possible to escalate tensions and continue the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

"So far, in this case, as part of the work of law enforcement agencies, measures are being taken to initiate criminal cases, conduct various investigative actions, and record these provocations," the deputy said.

He noted that the attacks on energy facilities are also aimed at disrupting Russian-American negotiations on Ukraine, as Kiev is in no way interested in a peaceful settlement.

"But we must understand that if we (the Russian Federation — Ed.) succumb to provocations, then all our efforts will be nullified because of the Ukrainian regime. Therefore, air defense systems have been strengthened now. Measures are being taken to protect all energy facilities," concluded Shvytkin.

Gas attack: why Kiev staged an explosion at the Suja measuring station

The Ukrainian authorities are once again demonstrating their desire to disrupt attempts at a peaceful settlement

During the talks between the presidents of Russia and the United States on March 18, the Russian leader supported the idea of mutual refusal of Moscow and Kiev from attacks on energy infrastructure and gave the appropriate order to Russian structures.

However, on the same day, after the public consent of the President of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, to suspend strikes on Russian energy infrastructure facilities, the Ukrainian Armed Forces violated the agreement and attacked an energy facility in the village of Kavkazskaya in the Krasnodar Territory. A few days later, on March 21, the Sudzha gas measuring station (GIS) in the Kursk region was attacked.

On March 25, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pointed out the incompetence of the Kiev regime after the incident. He called the attacks the reason why it is currently impossible to trust the Ukrainian side and make peace with it.