In brief
In a recent statement, President Zelensky announced Ukraine’s decision to resume military strikes on Russian oil refineries after a temporary suspension requested by Washington. He accused the U.S. of withdrawing key intelligence sharing, threatening to halt attacks if the blockade continued. The Kremlin rebutted claims of an impending large‑scale assault, while Russian forces reported intercepting Ukrainian missiles and drones near a refinery south of Moscow. By highlighting uneven support and strategic disagreements, Zelensky underscored the fragile dynamic between Kyiv and its western allies amid continuing hostilities.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine will restart military strikes on Russian oil refineries, declaring that Washington has withdrawn vital support measures which were restraining these operations. He said Kyiv had paused the attacks for three days at the behest of the United States, while Russia would continue to target Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Zelensky accused the United States of cutting intelligence sharing on Russian strikes and of deliberately limiting Starlink satellite services, claiming that these restrictions forced Ukraine to condition future attacks on the provision of additional Patriot air‑defence missiles.
The Kremlin denied that Ukraine had launched a large‑scale assault on a refinery south of Moscow, stating that four missiles and dozens of drones were intercepted and that debris from the attack caused a fire near the site in Ryazan.
He warned that dozens of Ukrainian cities had come under attack in the previous 24 hours, and suggested that the strain over U.S. support was no accident given the continued Russian bombing campaigns.
During a visit to London, Zelensky also met with Prime Minister Andy Burnham, discussing the Fast‑Track delivery of lightweight multi‑role missiles to Kyiv and reiterating that any ceasefire on energy infrastructure would be contingent on more comprehensive U.S. defense assistance.
The Ukrainian government maintains that the use of Starlink and the military variant Starshield remains critical for guiding drones, coordinating troops, and maintaining communications on the front lines. A brief indication of speed limits on the uplink for these systems prompted speculation about technical faults; Zelensky and Elon Musk have both suggested political motives linked to U.S. administrations.
