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Ukraine paused attacks on oil refineries for 3 days as Russia continued strikes on energy infrastructure, Zelensky says

10:31 AM ETConfirmed

World Desk

In Short: During the pause, Russia continued its strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, according to Zelensky.

Ukraine resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries after a three-day pause, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced. The pause was part of an energy truce unilaterally declared by U.S. President Donald Trump on Oct. 11.

That didn't help. There was all kinds of rhetoric, and no one thanked us for those three days.'

Zelensky told the Financial Times on Oct. 15 that Ukraine had lifted restrictions on strikes against Russian oil refineries and other energy infrastructure. He noted that Russia had killed more than 100 civilians over the past week during its continued attacks.

Ukraine needs to intercept around 150 Russian ballistic missiles per month but receives about 150 Patriot missiles annually from the U.S., according to Zelensky. He also discussed Ukraine's first combat use of its domestically produced FP-7 tactical ballistic missile.

At least 550,000 households were left without electricity after Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Russia launched ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv and the Kyiv region overnight, damaging more than 10 energy infrastructure facilities.

Germany has announced a new support package worth more than €1.3 billion ($1.5 billion) for Ukraine as Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities intensify. Another €350 million will support repairs to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter.

Zelensky said Ukraine would continue to avoid deliberately targeting civilians while striking energy facilities that generate revenue for Russia’s war effort. He cited documents obtained by Ukrainian intelligence services that showed Russian President Vladimir Putin had authorized attacks on a much wider range of infrastructure and civilian areas ahead of winter.

According to the International Energy Agency, combined diesel exports from Russia and the Gulf in August were 1.6 million barrels a day lower than in February, when they accounted for nearly 45 percent of global trade.

Trump intensified pressure on Zelenskyy to stop targeting Russian oil refineries, arguing that the attacks had disrupted global diesel supplies and contributed to higher fuel prices for American consumers.

Russia claimed that Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries go against U.S. peace efforts aimed at resolving the conflict. However, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was thankful for the support and that the system now works.

Zelenskyy also mentioned the Ryazan oil refinery incident on Oct. 15 and other operations targeting data centers and locations where Russian ballistic missiles are concentrated.

Background

What's confirmed

• U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally announced on Oct. 11 that an energy ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia had taken effect.

What's still developing

• “We saw documents and we know that they allow them to attack infrastructure, logistics, and especially to attack in the cities, in the villages, everywhere, roads, schools, hospitals,” Zelenskyy said.
• He said the aim was “to pressure people to leave the capital, leave different cities”.
• “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.
• "This ridiculous and never-ending war with Ukraine must be ended. The whole World suffers as 25,000 people, mostly soldiers, are being killed each month. What a shame!"
• “Today, Russia said thank you for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia,” Zelenskyy said after a Russian strike on that city today killed 20 people, including three children.
• "Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!"
• "Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine," the president wrote on his Truth Social network.
• On Sunday, a bipartisan group fo six US senators called on the Trump administarion to "immediately reverse course" and scrap the diesel deal.
• Ukraine’s emergency service said on Telegram that the death toll in Pryluky has risen to 22 as of Thursday morning and two more bodies were discovered following a Russian ​air strike on an apartment building in the capital Kyiv, taking the toll there to four dead.

Sources

• Enlink
• Newsukrainelink
• Thenewslink
• UNITED24 Medialink
• Al Jazeeralink
• Turkiyetodaylink
• Newsofbahrainlink
• Northeasttimeslink
• Staradvertiserlink
• Fox Newslink
• DWlink
• Japantimeslink
• Cbcpnewslink
• WarpBeat — background on Zelenskyy Defies Trump, Resumes Strikes on Russian Oil Refineries link
• Battlefield Intel — video link