Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Ukraine will resume attacks on Russian oil refineries following renewed Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, signalling the collapse of a proposed energy ceasefire.
In an interview published by the Financial Times on Thursday, Zelensky said Kyiv would no longer hold back from targeting Russian refineries after Moscow continued attacking Ukrainian facilities despite US President Donald Trump’s announcement of an energy truce.
Trump announced the proposed ceasefire last week, but the arrangement was not publicly confirmed by both sides. Russia continued its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, including a fresh wave of strikes on Wednesday.
Zelensky said Ukraine had suspended attacks on Russian refineries for several days but received no corresponding protection for its own energy facilities.
Russia on Thursday accused Ukraine of attacking an oil refinery in Ryazan, a city southeast of Moscow.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian power infrastructure. Kyiv has responded by expanding attacks on Russian territory, including facilities involved in oil refining.
Trump has criticised Ukraine’s refinery strikes, particularly following a diesel supply agreement with Moscow, and had pressed Kyiv to stop targeting Russian oil facilities.
Zelensky also expressed concern over restrictions affecting Ukraine’s access to US military capabilities and intelligence, despite the temporary pause in refinery attacks.
He told the Financial Times that the slowdown of Starshield, a satellite communications network built on Starlink and used by militaries, was deliberate rather than the result of a technical fault.
The Ukrainian president warned that any reduction in intelligence-sharing with Washington could leave Ukrainian cities more vulnerable to Russian air attacks. Ukraine depends on intelligence support, including early warnings, to help protect its population from incoming strikes.
Relations between Zelensky and Trump have been uncertain since the US president returned to office, with Washington’s approach to the war shifting amid disagreements over military support and negotiations with Moscow.
Zelensky also criticised Trump’s apparent admiration for leaders who remain in power for decades, referring to the US president’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
