Ukraine has resumed its drone attacks against Russian oil infrastructure, striking a refinery in the Ryazan region following an escalating dispute over an unreciprocated energy truce and the curtailment of U.S. intelligence assistance.
Patience Runs Out Over Energy Ceasefire
In an interview published by the Financial Times, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced an end to Ukraine’s self-imposed pause on targeting Russian refineries, citing persistent Russian strikes that left roughly 600,000 civilians without power.
“The block is out. We’re done,” Zelenskiy stated, emphasizing that Kyiv would no longer hold back its strikes without reciprocal restraint from Moscow.
Shortly after the announcement, Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov confirmed on Telegram that a major Ukrainian drone attack had sparked a blaze at a local oil refinery, with emergency personnel deployed to assess damage and contain the fire.
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Growing Friction with Washington
Kyiv had initially refrained from hitting Russian refineries following pressure from Washington to prevent disruptions in global fuel markets. However, Ukrainian officials voiced deep frustration after facing severe strategic setbacks, including:
- Suspension of Critical Intel: The halt of U.S. early-warning alerts for incoming Russian ballistic missiles.
- Starshield Throttling: Operational slowdowns on the military-grade Starlink satellite system, which Elon Musk stated is controlled by the U.S. government.
- Unilateral Restraint: Continued Russian bombardments against Ukrainian energy facilities despite Kyiv’s temporary pause.
Conditions for Halting Strikes
Zelenskiy dismissed claims that satellite disruptions were technical glitches, calling them intentional policy decisions. Asked if Ukraine would consider halting energy strikes to mend diplomatic ties with Washington, Zelenskiy noted that securing additional U.S.-made Patriot air defense interceptors represents the “minimum” condition Kyiv would require.