Ukraine will step up its attacks on Russian oil refineries, President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced. Zelensky described the move as a response to a new wave of Russian aerial attacks that Kyiv says are targeting infrastructure and putting pressure on the population of Ukrainian cities. He also stated that Ukrainian forces would not deliberately target civilian sites.
Kyiv to increase pressure on Russian energy sector
In an interview with Reuters, Zelensky said Ukraine would continue striking the Russian energy sector, particularly refineries.
The Ukrainian president explained that this was a reaction to a change in Russian air assault tactics, claiming that Russian forces have lately shifted focus onto infrastructure and logistics facilities in Ukrainian towns and cities.
According to Kyiv, Russia’s oil industry is a significant source of revenue for Moscow and helps finance military operations.
Strikes on Russian energy facilities by Ukraine are not new. Throughout the war, Ukrainian drones have hit several refineries, fuel depots, and other energy infrastructure targets.
Zelensky discusses new Russian strategy
The Ukrainian president said Ukrainian intelligence has obtained documents which he claims reveal a broader Russian strategy for attacks ahead of the coming winter.
According to Zelensky, the documents—presented from Ukraine’s perspective—authorize strikes on infrastructure and logistics targets including roads, schools, and hospitals. He claims one of the aims is to create pressure on the population to leave Kyiv and other cities. These are, however, assertions from the Ukrainian president that cannot be independently verified.
Moscow denies intentionally targeting civilians.
Russia announces retaliatory measures
After Zelensky’s statements, Moscow responded. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that, in light of his remarks, it would intensify attacks on Ukrainian military and industrial targets and related infrastructure.
Moscow has described its attacks as a response to Ukrainian strikes against sites on Russian territory. Both sides insist they do not deliberately target civilian populations.
The escalation points to mounting pressure on both countries’ energy infrastructure. For Ukraine, energy supplies are especially sensitive as the winter approaches.
Strikes on refineries have already hit Russian supplies
Ukraine says its attacks on Russian refineries are meant to limit Moscow’s ability to finance its war effort.
In recent months, Russian energy sites have repeatedly been targeted by drone attacks. There have been reports of fires and temporary suspensions at several facilities. In July, Reuters reported drone attacks on Russian energy targets, including a refinery in Tyumen and other sites in Yaroslavl.
In June, a drone also struck a refinery in Moscow. According to Reuters sources, the attack damaged one of the main refining units and caused operations to temporarily halt.
Aktualizovane.sk previously reported on Ukrainian strikes against Russian oil depots and energy facilities, including drone attacks on oil storage facilities in Stavropol that caused significant fires.
Kyiv developing longer-range weapons
Zelensky also spoke in the interview about the ongoing development of Ukrainian-made longer-range missiles.
According to information reported by Reuters, Ukraine this week used its FP-7 tactical ballistic missile in combat for the first time; the missile reportedly has a range of about 250 kilometers. Zelensky is also pushing for the completion of the more powerful FP-9 missile, which according to the manufacturer should have a significantly longer range.
Developing longer-range domestic weapons is seen as crucial by Kyiv, as it allows Ukraine to strike targets far behind the front lines without full dependence on foreign supplies.
Energy war may escalate ahead of winter
Both parties in the conflict appear to be moving toward an increased use of energy infrastructure as part of their military strategies.
Russia has launched large-scale attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities in recent days. At the end of September, Reuters reported a coordinated strike that affected energy infrastructure around Kyiv and other regions, causing power outages.
Kyiv is now signaling a response focused primarily on Russia’s oil industry. Zelensky, however, emphasizes that Ukraine does not intend to mirror strikes against civilian targets.
If both sides continue to target energy infrastructure, the coming winter months could bring further challenges for the supply and functioning of energy systems.
For more information on the drone war and attacks against Russian energy infrastructure, see the related article on Aktualizovane.sk.
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Massive Russian attack hits energy sector. Ukraine faces another wave of strikes before winter
This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
