Ukraine Resumes Strikes on Russian Refineries as Tensions with Washington Escalate
Ukraine restarts drone attacks on Russian oil refineries following a failed truce, as President Zelenskyy expresses frustration over U.S. policy shifts.
POLICY WIRE — Kyiv, Ukraine — Ukrainian forces launched drone strikes against an oil refinery in Russia’s Ryazan region early Thursday, signaling an end to a brief, Moscow-rejected ceasefire. The attack, which occurred roughly 300 kilometers southeast of Moscow, was confirmed by a senior Ukrainian official and resulted in a significant fire at the facility.
The renewed offensive follows a period of intense diplomatic friction between Kyiv and the White House. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed deep frustration over the current state of U.S.-Ukraine relations, citing the recent denial of Western intelligence regarding Russian ballistic missile strikes and operational restrictions placed on U.S.-supplied Starlink terminals.
Zelenskyy, who recently met with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham in London, stated that his patience regarding the situation has reached its limit. In an interview with the Financial Times, the Ukrainian leader declared that attacks on Russian energy infrastructure would resume, asserting that the country must prioritize its survival.
The escalation coincides with a deadly Russian drone campaign across Ukraine. The State Emergency Service reported that a 10-hour assault on the central Kirovohrad region left three people dead and six others injured. Zelenskyy noted that Russia launched over 850 drones across 15 regions during this period, characterizing the timing as a deliberate attempt to exploit perceived weaknesses in Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
