Zelensky: Ukraine Resumes Strikes on Russian Oil Refineries

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on October 15 that Ukraine is resuming strikes on Russian oil refineries, which it had halted for three days at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump. The pause was part of a so-called energy ceasefire in the war that began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Zelensky says Russia did not honor it.

Zelensky's statement

In an interview with the Financial Times published Thursday morning, Zelensky said: "The block is out. We're done." According to him, Russia kept striking Ukraine's energy infrastructure, and about 100 civilians were killed in attacks over the past week.

The Ryazan strike

Ukraine's first strike after the pause appears to have hit the Ryazan oil refinery. The plant is owned by Rosneft and is one of the main fuel suppliers for Moscow and the Moscow region. Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov said a mass drone attack on the region had led to classes being canceled in 14 schools and 25 kindergartens. Local authorities confirmed a fire at the refinery and said a warehouse and vehicles at another enterprise in Ryazan were damaged. The damage is still being assessed.

Russia's Defense Ministry said the refinery was attacked with 69 drones and four Flamingo cruise missiles. It said all were shot down, but that a fire broke out because of falling drone debris.

The Kremlin's response

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on October 14 that Ukraine had hit two refineries, in the Saratov and Ryazan regions, and that Kyiv was showing no movement toward an energy ceasefire. At that time, Ryazan authorities and eyewitnesses had reported no strike there, and the Saratov claim remains unconfirmed. Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov, commenting on Zelensky's remarks, pointed to Novak's statement and claimed Ukraine had never observed a moratorium: "There is nothing new here." He again accused Zelensky and the Ukrainian authorities of "not wanting to make peace."

Strike on Kyiv

Russian forces attacked Kyiv with drones and missiles overnight on October 14, killing three people and injuring about 20. A nine-story apartment building caught fire in the city's Desnianskyi District.