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Zelenskyy Defies Trump, Resumes Strikes on Russian Oil Refineries

Updated 9:09 AM ET · 8:23 AM ETConfirmed

World Desk

In Short: Despite the conflicting reports, all outlets agree that Zelenskyy defied Trump's call for an 'energy ceasefire' and announced that Kyiv would resume strikes on Russian oil refineries.

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), Trump asked Ukraine to stop hitting Russian diesel refineries, blaming the attacks for creating a diesel shortage that he said was “hurting the world.”

Al Jazeera (Qatar) reported that Russia supplies about 150,000 barrels of diesel a day globally, down 81 percent from its five-year average, due to its own export restrictions and damage to refineries caused by Ukrainian attacks. Meanwhile, Turkiyetoday (Türkiye) stated that a large number of Russian diesel refineries have been blown up and are, at least temporarily, out of commission.

Thenews (Pakistan) reported that Russian strikes on Ukrainian oil refineries go against the US peace efforts aimed at resolving the conflict. According to Russia, Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries go against the US peace efforts aimed at resolving the conflict.

Azernews (Azerbaijan) reported that Trump urged Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, saying attacks on the country's energy infrastructure were contributing to a diesel shortage. Speaking to reporters while attending the Irish Open at his golf course in Doonbeg, Ireland, Trump was asked whether he had spoken with Zelenskyy following his recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelenskyy told Reuters that Ukraine would continue to avoid deliberately targeting civilians, while striking energy facilities that generate revenue for Russia’s war effort. He also discussed Ukraine’s first combat use of its domestically produced FP-7 tactical ballistic missile.

According to Beauchamp, quoted by Al Jazeera (Qatar), the impact of the attacks is mainly on the civilian population, a move designed to increase domestic pressure on the Russian president. Beauchamp also noted that a cessation of Ukrainian attacks might bring the price down slightly and in the short term.

DW (Germany) reported that Zelenskyy told the news site Axios within minutes of Trump's post that the ceasefire was “news for me.” Zelenskyy added that if Russians agree to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine will agree.

NBC News reported that Russian drones swarmed Ukraine on Wednesday, and more than 850 had filled the skies over Ukraine since early Thursday, Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy wrote on Saturday that “Russia is escalating every single day,” and he listed “numerous strikes on residential homes” in the cities of Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia and in the Odesa, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions.

Lavocedinewyork reported that Russia’s Defense Ministry said Sunday it would step up strikes on Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine, responding to an interview President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave Reuters in which he vowed to intensify attacks on Russian refineries.

Zelenskyy claimed success for Ukraine’s “Vivaldi” counteroffensive, which he said had recaptured roughly 140 square kilometers in eastern Donbas, territory Moscow considers non-negotiable for any peace deal.

Background

What's confirmed

• Al Jazeera (Qatar) reported that Russia supplies about 150,000 barrels of diesel a day globally, down 81 percent from its five-year average, due to its own export restrictions and damage to refineries caused by Ukrainian attacks. Meanwhile, Turkiyetoday (Türkiye) stated that a large number of Russian diesel refineries have been blown up and are, at least temporarily, out of commission.
• Thenews (Pakistan) reported that Russian strikes on Ukrainian oil refineries go against the US peace efforts aimed at resolving the conflict. According to Russia, Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries go against the US peace efforts aimed at resolving the conflict.
• Azernews (Azerbaijan) reported that Trump urged Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, saying attacks on the country's energy infrastructure were contributing to a diesel shortage. Speaking to reporters while attending the Irish Open at his golf course in Doonbeg, Ireland, Trump was asked whether he had spoken with Zelenskyy following his recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• Zelenskyy told Reuters that Ukraine would continue to avoid deliberately targeting civilians, while striking energy facilities that generate revenue for Russia’s war effort. He also discussed Ukraine’s first combat use of its domestically produced FP-7 tactical ballistic missile.
• According to Beauchamp, quoted by Al Jazeera (Qatar), the impact of the attacks is mainly on the civilian population, a move designed to increase domestic pressure on the Russian president. Beauchamp also noted that a cessation of Ukrainian attacks might bring the price down slightly and in the short term.
• DW (Germany) reported that Zelenskyy told the news site Axios within minutes of Trump's post that the ceasefire was “news for me.” Zelenskyy added that if Russians agree to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine will agree.
• NBC News reported that Russian drones swarmed Ukraine on Wednesday, and more than 850 had filled the skies over Ukraine since early Thursday, Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy wrote on Saturday that “Russia is escalating every single day,” and he listed “numerous strikes on residential homes” in the cities of Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia and in the Odesa, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions.
• Lavocedinewyork reported that Russia’s Defense Ministry said Sunday it would step up strikes on Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine, responding to an interview President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave Reuters in which he vowed to intensify attacks on Russian refineries.
• Zelenskyy claimed success for Ukraine’s “Vivaldi” counteroffensive, which he said had recaptured roughly 140 square kilometers in eastern Donbas, territory Moscow considers non-negotiable for any peace deal.

What's still developing

• Oil prices were 40 percent lower before the Iran war began, pointing instead to US military action in the Middle East as the primary reason for rising diesel prices, one that Beauchamp says “threatens to tip the world economy into recession”.
• But as fighting between the US and Iran has resumed and escalated in recent weeks, oil prices have steadily risen, reaching nearly $108 a barrel on Sunday.
• “There are plenty of other targets,” arguing that the global diesel shortage stems from the Russia-Ukraine war.
• Foreign Policy, 1099 14th St NW, Suite 500 East, Washington, D.C., 20005.
• “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.
• When Campos-Duffy said Trump wanted peace in Ukraine, Kilmeade shot back: “Tell Vladimir Putin.” The disagreement reached its peak when Campos-Duffy argued that Trump’s cooperation with Russia could help bring about peace, while accusing Zelenskyy of arrogance.
• Published 25 Sept 2026, 10:46 UTC Updated 26 Sept 2026, 21:02 UTC Ukraine War · updated 3h ago · 3 min read Four people were killed across Ukraine by Russian drone attacks.
• “We hope it will remain unchanged,” Sienik said.
• U.S. Wants World Bank to Drop Ban on Upstream Oil and Gas Funding What I Cover Tsvetana Paraskova is an energy and commodities journalist who has contributed to Oilprice.com for nearly a decade, covering global energy markets, commodities,… Ukraine will resume drone strikes on Russian refineries after Russia kept hitting energy infrastructure and killing civilians in Ukraine despite U.S. President Trump’s claim of an “energy ceasefire”, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the Financial Times.

Sources

• Al Jazeeralink
• Enlink
• Thenewslink
• Turkiyetodaylink
• DWlink
• Azernewslink
• Thewraplink
• Newscordlink
• NBC Newslink
• Lavocedinewyorklink
• Oilpricelink
• Politicolink
• WarpBeat — background on Zelenskyy Defies Trump, Resumes Strikes on Russian Refineries link
• WarpBeat — background on Zelensky Says Ukraine Will Resume Russian Refinery Strikes, Defying Trump link