Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Oil Refineries Pause After Trump's Energy Ceasefire Announcement
No new strikes on Russian oil refineries were reported overnight into Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump's surprise announcement of an "energy ceasefire" between Ukraine and Russia. The Kremlin has neither formally confirmed nor denied agreeing to any terms.
Ukrainian drones appeared to spare Russian oil refineries overnight into Monday, 12 October, following a surprise announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump that an "energy ceasefire" between the two warring countries had taken immediate effect. Ukraine has repeatedly targeted such facilities in recent months, which makes the pause notable.
Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted 151 Ukrainian drones over 10 Russian regions and the annexed Crimean peninsula overnight. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that 37 drones were destroyed approaching the capital between Sunday evening and Monday morning. Unlike during earlier attacks, however, local authorities and independent media reported no new hits on oil refineries.
Zelensky awaits Russia's response
In his nightly video address on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine's armed forces had received all the appropriate orders. He said Ukraine wants peace and that the question is whether Russia does. Kyiv is awaiting details of talks between Washington and Moscow and expects Russian President Vladimir Putin to honor Trump's announcement.
The Kremlin has not formally confirmed or denied agreeing to any ceasefire terms. Sources close to the Russian government told Bloomberg that Moscow remains skeptical that Washington can deliver a binding deal on terms favorable to Russia.
Attacks on other targets continue
Zelensky said Russian forces struck a combined heat and power plant in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, on Sunday evening. A Ukrainian official said the attack came after Trump's announcement. On Monday morning, Russian shelling and air attacks injured at least 12 people in Kharkiv. Russia's Defense Ministry said it hit a cargo vessel carrying military supplies near the Ukrainian port of Odesa.
In Russia's southern Rostov region, firefighters were still battling a blaze at the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery after a drone attack on Saturday, according to the exiled news outlet Astra. Authorities in the Belgorod region reported that one civilian was killed and three others were injured on Sunday evening.
