Zelensky says Ukraine to resume strikes on Russian oil refineries
Volodymyr Zelensky announced Ukraine will restart strikes on Russian oil refineries, accusing the US of cutting intelligence and Starlink support.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans to resume strikes on Russian oil refineries.
- Zelensky accused the US of halting intelligence sharing and restricting Starlink services to pressure Kyiv.
- Russia reported intercepting missiles and drones targeting an oil refinery in Ryazan, causing a fire.
- Zelensky stated he would only halt refinery strikes if the US supplies additional Patriot air defense systems.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on October 15, 2026, that Ukraine will resume its military strikes targeting Russian oil refineries, following accusations that Washington has withdrawn crucial support and attempted to force Kyiv into a halt.
The renewed friction stems from disputes over energy agreements and military assistance. Zelensky accused US counterparts of threatening to block intelligence sharing regarding incoming Russian attacks if Kyiv continued its operations. He also asserted that recent speed restrictions placed on Starlink satellite terminals utilized by Ukrainian forces were a deliberate political move rather than a technical glitch, after Elon Musk indicated the limits were decided by the US military and the White House.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin reported a large-scale attack on an oil facility south of Moscow. According to the Russian defense ministry, four missiles and dozens of drones were intercepted, with falling debris triggering a fire at a refinery site in Ryazan. Zelensky noted that dozens of Ukrainian cities had faced Russian bombardments over the preceding day.
Zelensky had previously indicated he would accept an energy ceasefire proposed by US President Donald Trump if Moscow adhered to it. However, he claimed Russia ignored the initiative almost immediately, leaving hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians without power as strikes continued.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
"If you will not stop, we will block intelligence."
US counterparts (as quoted by Zelensky)
During a visit to London on Wednesday, Zelensky met with Prime Minister Andy Burnham at Downing Street, where the UK announced it would expedite the delivery of lightweight multirole missiles to Kyiv. European leaders are also expected to address the situation during an upcoming summit in Brussels.
Analysis and Background: This diplomatic rift highlights the immense reliance Ukraine places on American defense intelligence and commercial satellite networks like Starlink for battlefield coordination. Washington's domestic pressures, driven by fuel price spikes linked to the Iran conflict and subsequent trade deals involving Russian diesel, have visibly complicated the geopolitical alignment between the US and Ukraine.
Zelensky concluded that the only circumstance under which Kyiv would suspend strikes on Russian oil infrastructure—which deprives Moscow of crucial war funding—is if the United States provides supplementary Patriot missile defense systems to replenish depleted Ukrainian stockpiles.
Source: BBC World
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