Ukraine has resumed its attacks on Russian refineries by striking an installation in the Ryazan region, as reported by the regional governor on Thursday. This action follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s frustration over the withdrawal of U.S. intelligence support. Since U.S. President Donald Trump announced an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv refrained from targeting Russian refineries to avoid global diesel price increases, as attributed by the U.S. leader.
However, as Russia continued its assaults on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, leaving 600,000 people without power, Zelenskyy expressed growing discontent. He emphasized that Ukraine would not indefinitely halt its attacks unless Russia reciprocated and criticized what he perceived as Trump’s bias towards Russia. In an interview with the Financial Times, Zelenskyy declared that Ukraine’s patience had reached its limit, stating, “The block [on attacking refineries] is out. We’re done.”
Pavel Malkov, the governor of Russia’s Ryazan region, disclosed that a significant Ukrainian drone strike caused a fire at an oil refinery in the area. The Ryazan refinery, owned by Russian oil giant Rosneft, has been targeted multiple times by drones in recent months and contributes nearly five percent of Russia’s total oil refining capacity.
Zelenskyy condemned Washington’s eagerness to engage in business dealings with Moscow and Trump’s apparent admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump, in response, urged Ukraine to replace Zelenskyy and criticized Ukraine’s assaults on Russian oil infrastructure following the diesel supply deal with Russia aimed at reducing fuel prices escalated by the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Despite Ukraine’s temporary suspension of refinery attacks, officials expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of U.S. early-warning alerts for incoming Russian ballistic missiles. Moreover, disruptions in the military version of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite communications service in Ukraine hindered military operations and strikes against Russian military targets. Musk clarified that any limitations on Starshield, the military variant of Starlink, were determined by the U.S. government.
Zelenskyy revealed that Ukrainian military officials were warned that Washington would withhold intelligence unless attacks on Russian energy infrastructure ceased. He dismissed the suspension as a technical glitch, emphasizing it as a matter of “will.” While Europe lacks an immediate alternative to Starlink for Ukrainian soldiers, efforts are underway by European governments and companies to develop long-term solutions.
In discussions regarding repairing relations with the White House, Zelenskyy suggested halting energy strikes in exchange for additional U.S.-made Patriot interceptors, deeming it the minimum acceptable condition. Trump’s history of strained relations with Ukraine dates back to his impeachment in 2019 for pressuring Zelenskyy for political favors in exchange for military aid, which led to his acquittal in the U.S. Senate. Trump also criticized the level of military and humanitarian aid provided to Ukraine by President Joe Biden’s administration post-Russia’s invasion in 2022.
In a separate incident, Ukraine’s air force reported that 580 Russian drones staged an attack overnight, with 536 drones intercepted. The central Ukrainian region of Kirovohrad witnessed a significant Russian assault, resulting in three fatalities and six injuries, according to the local governor. The attack targeted critical infrastructure, transport facilities, logistics centers, and residential areas deliberately.
Furthermore, Russia targeted Ukraine’s Naftogaz gas-extraction facility in the central Poltava region, causing disruptions, equipment damage, and fires. Ukraine’s military claimed to have damaged six Russian Su-34M military aircraft in a strike on the Borisoglebsk airfield in Russia’s Voronezh region. However, Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield reports.
