Ukraine Resumes Strikes on Russian Oil Refineries as Zelensky Accuses US of Withdrawing Support

Ukraine Resumes Strikes on Russian Oil Refineries as Zelensky Accuses US of Withdrawing Support Getty Images

Ukraine has resumed strikes on Russian oil refineries after President Volodymyr Zelensky declared an energy ceasefire over, accusing the United States of withdrawing intelligence-sharing and restricting Starlink satellite services used by Ukraine's military.

Zelensky told the Financial Times that Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries would resume. "We're done," he said, referring to a brief halt on such strikes that he said had been carried out at Washington's request.

Russia's defence ministry said Ukraine had "attempted a large-scale attack" on an oil refinery in Ryazan, approximately 180 to 300 kilometres south of Moscow, early on Thursday. The ministry said four missiles and dozens of drones were intercepted, with falling debris causing a fire at the site. A senior Ukrainian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Ukraine had struck the refinery.

Zelensky said he had suspended strikes on Russian energy infrastructure for three days following a unilateral "energy ceasefire" announced by US President Donald Trump on Sunday. However, Russia continued striking Ukrainian energy sites and never publicly confirmed it had agreed to the deal.

Zelensky accused the US of withdrawing intelligence on incoming Russian strikes in order to pressure Kyiv into ending the attacks altogether. He said Ukrainian officials had been told by their US counterparts that "if you will not stop [the strikes], we will block intelligence." He also said restrictions placed on Starlink satellite services were deliberate. "It was not a technical problem, it was the will," he told the Financial Times.

Ukraine's military relies on US early-warning alerts of incoming Russian aerial attacks to mount air defences, while Starlink internet links are used throughout its war effort to guide drones and protect its skies.

On Wednesday, unexpected speed restrictions were placed on Starlink drone uplinks. SpaceX owner Elon Musk wrote on X that the military version of the system is owned and controlled by the US government, and that "any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately [Trump]." In a separate post, Musk called for Zelensky to be removed from office. "Time for Zelensky to go," he wrote.

Sources in Ukraine's Ministry of Defence said early on Thursday that the military-focused Starshield service's "operation while on the move" had been restored, though officials said they were still working to clarify "the reasons and circumstances behind yesterday's restrictions."

Trump denied that the US had halted intelligence-sharing with Ukraine. The White House and the Department of Defense had not commented on the Starlink restrictions at the time of reporting.

In a late-night interview with Piers Morgan on Wednesday, Zelensky said he felt betrayed. "Really, yes, between us," he said when asked whether he felt let down by the US president. He added that the situation was "really strange and what was not like between partners."

Zelensky also criticised a deal struck between the US and Russia to release 300,000 tonnes, or approximately 1.8 million tonnes according to one account, of Russian diesel to the US and global marketplace. He described the agreement as the US effectively investing in Russia's war effort. "The question will be: when will the next deal be? Maybe it will be gas. Definitely it will be gas," he told the Financial Times.

Russia launched more than 850 drones at Ukraine between midnight and Thursday morning, striking 15 regions, Zelensky said. Three people were killed and six others injured in the Kirovohrad region of central Ukraine following a drone attack lasting more than 10 hours, according to Ukraine's Emergency Services. Ukrainian air defences intercepted 536 Russian drones.

"It is obvious that Russia deliberately chose to escalate its attacks after receiving sanctions relief and seeing attempts to pressure Ukraine," Zelensky said.

Despite declaring the ceasefire over, Zelensky said he would be willing to pause strikes on Russian energy sites again, but only if the US supplied Ukraine with Patriot interceptors.

Zelensky was due to meet European leaders in Brussels on Thursday, where he planned to push for tougher sanctions on Moscow and faster delivery of EU support. The EU has pledged 50 billion dollars in support for Ukraine, though the figure falls well short of the 175 billion dollars Kyiv plans to spend on its defences.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten called on EU leaders to "step up" to ensure Ukraine wins the war.