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Volodymyr Zelenskyy resumes military strikes on Russian oil refineries
•2 min read•2 sources
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced the end of a three-day pause in military operations against Russian oil refineries. This decision was immediately followed by reports of significant strikes targeting an oil refinery in Ryazan, Russia. The resumption of these attacks marks a strategic pivot for Kyiv as it navigates increasingly strained relations with Washington and intensifying aerial bombardment from Russian forces.
Zelenskyy attributed the decision to a perceived withdrawal of defense support from the United States and growing frustration with the administration of President Donald Trump. While a temporary ceasefire had been proposed by the U.S., Russian forces continued to launch aerial strikes on Ukrainian targets, resulting in numerous civilian casualties. Furthermore, the Ukrainian leadership expressed serious concerns over a recent U.S. diesel deal with Russia and a notable gap in the provision of critical military intelligence.
Compounding these tensions are new restrictions on the Starlink satellite internet service, which is vital for Ukrainian drone guidance. Elon Musk recently suggested that the U.S. government might be behind a speed limit of 100 mph imposed on Starlink hardware used by the Ukrainian military. President Zelenskyy described these developments as a betrayal, noting that such restrictions directly disrupt operations on the battlefield at a time when Ukrainian forces rely heavily on remote-controlled weapons for defense.
As relations between Kyiv and Washington deteriorate, European leaders are reportedly increasing their support to fill the vacuum left by shifting American priorities. The escalating situation highlights a potential fracture in the Western coalition as the region prepares for the challenges of the winter season. Zelenskyy has emphasized that without sustained and reliable military hardware and intelligence, Ukraine must leverage its own offensive capabilities to pressure the Russian economy and energy infrastructure.
