Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said his country will resume attacks on Russian oil refineries, accusing Washington of putting pressure on Kyiv to halt the strikes while Russian forces continue attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
In an interview with the Financial Times published on Thursday, October 15, Zelensky said Ukraine had temporarily restricted attacks on Russian energy facilities following a request from the United States.
“The block [on attacking refineries] is out. We’re done,” he told the newspaper.
His remarks signal renewed uncertainty over efforts to establish an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Dispute Over Proposed Energy Ceasefire
US President Donald Trump announced on October 11 that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an energy ceasefire, under which attacks on energy infrastructure would stop.
Zelensky initially said Ukraine would respect such an arrangement if Russia also halted its attacks. However, he accused Moscow of continuing strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities after the announcement.
The Kremlin did not publicly confirm that Russia had agreed to the proposed arrangement.
Russian attacks reported on October 14 damaged energy facilities in Kyiv and Kharkiv, leaving at least 600,000 people without electricity, according to Reuters. The attacks intensified concerns about the impact of further strikes as Ukraine approaches winter.
Zelensky Raises Concerns Over US Intelligence
Zelensky also alleged that US officials had warned Ukraine that intelligence-sharing could be restricted if Kyiv continued attacking Russian refineries.
He said Ukraine depended on US intelligence and early-warning information to identify incoming Russian attacks and strengthen its air defences.
The allegations come amid wider tensions between Kyiv and Washington over military support, energy policy and efforts to end the war.
However, European Union officials said there was no indication that US intelligence-sharing with Ukraine had completely stopped. The precise scope of any interruption or restriction remains disputed.
Starlink Disruptions Add to Tensions
The Ukrainian president also raised concerns about reduced performance of Starlink satellite internet services, which Ukrainian forces use for communications and military operations.
Zelensky suggested the slowdown was deliberate and said the disruption could affect Ukraine’s ability to conduct operations. The circumstances surrounding the reported service restrictions and their intended purpose remain contested.
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, has become an important communications system for Ukraine during the war. Any disruption could complicate military coordination, although the extent of the impact depends on the services and equipment affected.
Uncertain Path to a Ceasefire
The latest statements highlight the difficulty of securing a reciprocal halt to attacks on energy infrastructure while fighting continues.
Ukraine’s proposed return to refinery strikes could further strain relations with Washington and increase uncertainty over the future of the energy ceasefire initiative.
For now, Zelensky’s announcement indicates that Kyiv no longer intends to maintain its temporary pause on attacks against Russian oil refineries. Whether diplomatic efforts can produce a mutually observed agreement remains unclear.
Sources: Financial Times, Reuters and The Guardian.
