Ukraine Resumes Strikes on Russian Refineries After Brief Truce

Ukrainian drones attacked a refinery in Russia's Ryazan region early Thursday, hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that a brief truce spurned by Moscow was over amid deepening tensions with Washington. The strike started a fire at the refinery about 300 kilometers (180 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia's Defense Ministry and Ryazan Gov. Pavel Malkov said. A senior Ukrainian official who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that Ukraine had hit the refinery.

End of the Energy Truce

The resumption of attacks follows a period where Zelenskyy had ordered a pause in strikes on Russian refineries for three days to comply with U.S. wishes. However, Zelenskyy stated that Russia continued to strike Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and kill civilians despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of an “energy ceasefire.”

In an interview with the Financial Times published Thursday, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries would resume. "We're done," he was quoted as saying. He also told the Financial Times, "The block [on attacking refineries] is out. We’re done."

Zelenskyy expressed frustration with what he described as the "dangerous" withdrawal of U.S. intelligence and the simultaneous weakening of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite communications across Ukraine. He noted that the absence of Western intelligence leaves Ukraine more vulnerable to Russian ballistic missiles, while Starlink speed limits choked Ukrainian efforts to defend itself.

Tensions with Washington

The situation has complicated Kyiv's relations with the Trump administration. Zelenskyy complained that despite going along with Trump's demand for a truce, Ukraine was denied usual Western intelligence on Russian ballistic missile strikes and faced limits on its use of U.S.-made Starlink communication terminals.

In an interview with Piers Morgan, Zelenskyy said he felt betrayed by Trump's deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to import Russian diesel. "Really, yes, between us," Zelenskyy told Morgan when asked if he felt betrayed by the American president. He added that the U.S. behavior "was really strange and what was not like between partners but that they switch off Starlink, so some actually crazy steps between us."

Elon Musk noted on X that the military version of Starlink is controlled by the U.S. military and Trump. Trump has said the U.S. hasn't stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine.

Recent Attacks and Casualties

Zelenskyy said on X that between midnight and Thursday morning Russia launched more than 850 drones at Ukraine. He stated the barrage came "precisely at a time when the speed of our defensive capabilities is being artificially restricted." Russian aerial attacks hit 15 Ukrainian regions, according to Zelenskyy.

Ukrainian air defenses stopped 536 Russian drones during a large-scale overnight attack, the Ukrainian Air Force said, but impacts were recorded at 31 locations. Russia's Defense Ministry said that air defenses downed 166 Ukrainian drones overnight and that its forces hit two vessels carrying military cargo.

In central Ukraine, three people were killed and six others injured after the Kirovohrad region came under a Russian drone attack lasting more than 10 hours, Ukraine's Emergency Services said Thursday.

Why it matters

The resumption of strikes on Russian refineries marks a significant escalation in the conflict and a breakdown in recent diplomatic efforts led by the United States. The move highlights the growing rift between Kyiv and Washington over the handling of the war, particularly regarding intelligence sharing and commercial deals with Russia. The attacks also occur amidst global energy market volatility, with oil prices reacting to reports of potential sanctions easing on shadow fleet tankers.

---

Sources

• npr.org: Ukraine resumes attacks on Russian oil refineries, officials say : NPR
• oilprice.com: Ukraine to Resume Russian Oil Refinery Strikes After Failed Energy Ceasefire | OilPrice.com

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.