Ukraine to resume strikes on Russian oil refineries, Zelenskyy says amid tensions with Trump
Ukraine will resume attacks on Russian oil refineries after a three-day pause, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the Financial Times, accusing Washington of restricting critical military support while Russia continued striking Ukrainian cities.
“The block [on attacking refineries] is out. We’re done,” Zelenskyy said in an interview published on October 15, according to CNN.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine had refrained from striking Russian energy infrastructure for three days, but Moscow continued its attacks, killing more than 100 civilians over the past week.
He also claimed that Ukrainian military officials had been warned by their US counterparts that intelligence sharing could be blocked unless Kyiv stopped targeting Russian energy facilities.
The Ukrainian president questioned US explanations for missing ballistic missile warnings, suggesting the disruption was deliberate rather than technical.
The dispute comes amid reported restrictions affecting Starshield, the military-grade satellite communications service operated by SpaceX. Ukrainian officials said the disruption had complicated military operations.
Elon Musk said Starshield systems were controlled by the US government and that decisions on restricting their use rested with the US military and president.
The tensions escalated after US President Donald Trump announced a deal to purchase Russian diesel and pressed Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian refineries.
Trump subsequently claimed that an energy ceasefire had taken effect, although neither Kyiv nor Moscow had publicly confirmed such an agreement.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine could consider another pause in strikes on Russian energy facilities in exchange for additional Patriot air defense missiles.
- Share: