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Zelenskyy Defies Trump, Resumes Strikes on Russian Refineries
Confirmed
In Short: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Kyiv would resume strikes on Russian oil refineries, defying US President Donald Trump's call for an 'energy ceasefire' over the weekend.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Kyiv would resume strikes on Russian oil refineries, defying US President Donald Trump's call for an 'energy ceasefire' over the weekend.
According to Al Jazeera (Qatar), Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine was 'done' with the unilateral ceasefire declared by Trump, adding that the US had pressured Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian refineries, claiming that a suspension of attacks and a deal to purchase 1.8 million tonnes of diesel from Russia would help reduce soaring fuel prices.
Zelenskyy told the Financial Times that Ukrainian officials had been told by US counterparts that 'if you will not stop [the strikes], we will block intelligence,' indicating a significant point of tension in the US approach to the conflict.
Russia says Ukraine has targeted an oil refinery in Ryazan, about 180 kilometres (110 miles) south of Moscow, as Zelenskyy declared the resumption of strikes.
Zelenskyy accused the US of weakening Ukraine’s position on the battlefield by allegedly withdrawing crucial intelligence sharing, and told the Financial Times that 'This politically is not simple [in America], because everybody will want to ask how it can be when some people are surviving, fighting, dying – and you make... business with the guys with such aggression.'
In an interview with Piers Morgan, Zelenskyy confirmed that the Trump administration had 'betrayed' him, and that Ukraine had temporarily halted attacks on Russian oil refineries and energy infrastructure for two days.
Trump urged Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, saying attacks on the country's energy infrastructure were contributing to a diesel shortage.
Zelenskyy ordered the resumption of strikes on Russian oil refineries, according to Fox News correspondent Jeff Paul, who reported on escalating strikes between Russia and Ukraine ahead of a meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy at the United Nations General Assembly.
Paul detailed Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries in the Samara region alongside Russian strikes in Kyiv, Dnipro, and Sumy.
Zelenskyy wrote on X that 'Russia is escalating every single day,' and listed 'numerous strikes on residential homes' in the cities of Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia and in the Odesa, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions.
The conflict’s diplomatic track remained unresolved as Zelenskyy appealed to the United Nations for countries to deprive Russia of revenue through sanctions and trade restrictions.
Sergei Lavrov told the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday that 'Europe is doing everything it can to thwart peace talks in which the [Donald] Trump administration is interested,' and he said Moscow would achieve its military aims 'no matter the circumstances.'
Background
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Kyiv would resume strikes on Russian oil refineries, defying US President Donald Trump's call for an 'energy ceasefire' over the weekend.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Kyiv would resume strikes on Russian oil refineries, defying U.S. President Donald Trump's call for an 'energy ceasefire.' According to Al Jazeera (Qatar), Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine was 'done' with the unilateral ceasefire declared by Trump over the weekend.
What's confirmed
- US President Donald Trump on Sunday urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, saying attacks on the country's energy infrastructure were contributing to a diesel shortage.
- Trump's call for Zelenskyy to stop attacks on Russian refineries therefore adds a new point of tension to the US approach to the conflict, particularly as Washington seeks to push the two sides towards a negotiated settlement.
- Russia says Ukraine has targeted an oil refinery in Ryazan, about 180 kilometres (110 miles) south of Moscow, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv was “done” with an energy ceasefire unilaterally announced by United States President Donald Trump over the weekend.
- “This politically is not simple [in America], because everybody will want to ask how it can be when some people are surviving, fighting, dying – and you make... business with the guys with such aggression,” Zelenskyy told the FT.
What's still developing
- “Time for Zelensky to go.” Ukraine is heavily dependent on Western military aid in its fight against Russia, particularly from the US and Germany.
- “And so the slaughter continues,” Musk wrote in a separate post on X.
- Published 3 Oct 2026, 23:21 UTC Updated 15 Oct 2026, 19:05 UTC Ukraine War updated 1h ago 3 min read This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets.
- Ukrainian defence sources reported that some Starlink functionality had resumed as of Thursday morning, and the sources said Starshield’s “operation while on the move” had been restored.
- “But so far, these vigorous attempts have been thwarted by the unwillingness of the Kyiv regime – and of (President Volodymyr) Zelenskiy personally – to make peace," said Peskov.
- At least nine people were injured in a “massive” Russian nighttime attack on Odesa, according to Serhii Lysak, who heads the city’s military administration.
- Ahead of his meeting with Zelenskyy, he called the campaign "a serious hit against the Russians," but added, "It’s also a serious hit on the price of diesel."
- In his U.N. address on Tuesday, Trump said he could use new tariff authority against buyers of Russian energy "if necessary" to bring the war to an end.