Ukraine resumes refinery strikes amid US pressure over attacks
Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine will resume strikes on Russian oil refineries, accusing the US of pressuring Kyiv to stop attacks by restricting intelligence-sharing and Starlink services. The dispute comes as Russia continues to hit Ukrainian energy infrastructure and Kyiv says the proposed energy ceasefire was not observed by Moscow.
Zelensky said he had paused refinery strikes for three days at Washington’s request and would halt them again only if the US supplied more Patriot air defence missiles. Russia said it intercepted four missiles and dozens of drones targeting a refinery in Ryazan, where falling debris caused a fire. Ukraine relies on US warnings to defend against Russian air attacks, while Starlink links support its military operations; Ukrainian officials said Starshield’s service while moving had been restored, though they were still seeking an explanation for the restrictions.
- Zelensky says Ukraine will restart strikes on Russian oil refineries.
- He accuses the US of using intelligence and Starlink restrictions to pressure Kyiv.
- Ukraine says it would pause attacks again if supplied with more Patriot missiles.
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Russia and Ukraine have attacked each other’s energy infrastructure during the war, including power facilities and oil refineries. Refineries process crude oil into fuels, and damage can disrupt production and affect supplies and revenue.
The United States is a major supporter of Ukraine, providing weapons and intelligence that help it defend against Russian attacks. Patriot systems are air-defence missiles used to intercept incoming threats, while Starlink satellite links have supported communications for Ukrainian forces.
The dispute touches on how Ukraine can defend its cities and energy system while also targeting Russian facilities. It also reflects the influence that US military support and communications services can have on Kyiv’s wartime decisions.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Ukraine can argue that strikes on Russian refineries are a legitimate way to disrupt the resources sustaining Russia’s invasion, especially while Russian attacks continue against Ukrainian energy infrastructure and the proposed ceasefire has not held. Kyiv also has reason to resist pressure to limit its options when it depends on US support to defend its cities, and can point to its temporary pause as evidence it has tried to respond to Washington’s request.
The case against
The US can argue that restricting attacks on energy facilities may reduce escalation risks and protect civilians from wider disruption, while preserving leverage for diplomacy and a possible ceasefire. It may also contend that intelligence and communications support should be tied to a strategy that limits attacks with potentially broad consequences, rather than supplied without regard to how it is used.
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Originally published by BBC World as “Ukraine to restart strikes on Russian oil refineries, Zelensky says”.