Ukraine resumes attacks on Russian refineries
President Zelensky says Kyiv is ending a temporary pause because Russia continued attacking Ukrainian energy facilities.
Follow-up to: Energy truce between Russia and Ukraine falters Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 18:58
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Ukraine is resuming attacks on Russian oil refineries, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. Kyiv says it suspended the attacks for three days after pressure from the United States, but says Moscow continued attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure in the meantime.
Zelensky said in an interview with the Financial Times that the ban on attacks on Russian refineries was over. Reuters reported this on Thursday. According to the Ukrainian president, his country halted the attacks for several days in response to a call from US President Donald Trump.
Last week, Trump announced a so-called energy truce between Russia and Ukraine. He wanted both countries to stop attacking energy facilities. The US president linked his call to an agreement on Russian diesel and said Ukrainian attacks were putting fuel prices under pressure.
According to Zelensky, Russia did not honour the agreement. He referred to Russian attacks on Ukrainian power stations and other infrastructure. The Associated Press reported earlier this week that Ukraine was prepared to stop attacks on Russian energy installations, while Kyiv said Russian attacks were continuing.
The resumption does not automatically mean that a new series of attacks has already been fully carried out. The main new development is that Zelensky says Ukraine no longer accepts the temporary restriction. Russian authorities have not independently confirmed that explanation and generally say their military actions target military or strategic objectives.
The refineries are a military and economic target for Kyiv because they supply fuel to the Russian economy and armed forces. Ukraine regularly carries out attacks on installations hundreds of kilometres from the front line. Russia regards such attacks as terrorism and responds with air strikes and drone attacks on Ukrainian targets.
The United States is simultaneously trying to limit the war and work out an agreement with Russia on fuel supplies. As a result, different interests overlap: Washington wants lower energy prices and negotiations, Kyiv wants to maintain military pressure on Moscow, and Russia has an interest in keeping its energy exports and refining capacity out of reach.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Zelensky says Ukraine is resuming attacks on Russian refineries.
- Ukraine previously said it had temporarily suspended the attacks.
- Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of violating the energy truce.
- The United States is trying to stop attacks on energy infrastructure.
Left
Arguments The pressure should fall primarily on Russia, because Ukraine is defending itself against an invasion. From this perspective, a truce that restricts Kyiv but does not demonstrably bind Moscow is not a neutral peace but a risk to Ukrainian civilians.
Values International law, the protection of civilians and the responsibility of the aggressor.
Consequences A one-sided restriction could give Russia room to restore its energy and war-making apparatus.
Centre
Arguments Attacks on energy infrastructure increase the risks of escalation, but a truce works only if both sides make verifiable agreements. The institutional route therefore lies in verification, clear definitions and diplomatic pressure on both governments.
Values Predictability, proportionality and international mediation.
Consequences Without oversight, each side will continue to interpret the truce in its own way.
Right
Arguments Ukraine must maintain its military and economic pressure as long as Russia continues its attacks. At the same time, Washington must prevent American taxpayers and consumers from bearing the costs of an endless escalation.
Values National security, deterrence and limited foreign involvement.
Consequences A truce without credible deterrence could prolong the war rather than end it.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core is based on a current statement by Zelensky and reporting by Reuters and AP. Unconfirmed Russian or Ukrainian claims are presented as such.
- confirmed Zelensky said on 15 October that Ukraine was resuming attacks on Russian refineries. — Reuters quotes the interview with the Financial Times. source
- confirmed According to Zelensky, Ukraine halted the attacks for three days. — This appears in Reuters’ account of the interview. source
- confirmed The scale of new attacks has not yet been independently established. — The sources consulted report the statement, not a fully verified new cycle of attacks. source
Editor's note
It is certain that Zelensky announced the resumption and that Ukraine had earlier reported a short pause. The scale and consequences of any new attacks have not yet been independently established.Sources
- Ukraine to resume strikes on Russian refineries, Zelensky tells FT — Reuters via Investing.com
- Ukrainian drones lose speed after restrictions are imposed on Starlink — Associated Press
- Russia strikes Ukraine energy sites despite Trump claim of ceasefire — Associated Press
The story so far
- Friday, 9 October 2026, 21:44 Trump announces 300,000-tonne Russian diesel deal
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 06:48 US temporarily make Russian diesel tradable again
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 10:45 Deadly attack puts Trump's diesel deal under pressure
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 20:45 Trump calls for new president of Ukraine
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 22:48 British prime minister promises Zelensky support after Trump criticism
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 14:57 Zelensky offers to halt refinery attacks in return for Russian move
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 19:28 Trump announces energy ceasefire, Kyiv does not confirm agreement
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 20:28 Trump announces energy ceasefire, attacks continue
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 21:02 Attack on power station immediately puts Trump’s energy truce under pressure
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 22:27 Russian attacks put energy truce under immediate pressure
- Monday, 12 October 2026, 12:59 Kremlin does not confirm Trump's energy ceasefire
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 14:59 Zelensky had no warning of Russian missile attack on Kyiv
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 23:28 Zelensky says allies again failed to warn him
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 01:56 Russian missiles hit power plant in Kyiv
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 06:59 Russian missile hits power station in Kyiv
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 08:00 Zelensky seeks swift new talks with US envoys
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 09:29 New Russian attacks increase pressure on Ukraine’s power grid
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 17:33 New Russian attack leaves Kyiv without power
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 18:58 Energy truce between Russia and Ukraine falters
- Thursday, 15 October 2026, 07:59 Ukraine resumes attacks on Russian refineries (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- AD — „oekraïne rusland”
- de Volkskrant — „oekraïne rusland”
- RTL Nieuws — „oekraïne rusland”