UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY ANNOUNCES END TO ENERGY TRUCE, ORDERING RESUMED STRIKES ON RUSSIAN OIL REFINERIES

Kyiv lifts self-imposed operational freeze following renewed Russian bombardments, citing frustration over restricted Western intelligence-sharing and operational constraints on satellite communications

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Ukraine will resume targeted long-range drone and missile strikes against Russian oil refineries, formally declaring an end to a brief, self-imposed pause on attacking Russian energy infrastructure.  

Speaking in an interview on Thursday, the Ukrainian leader stated that the operational restriction was officially lifted after Russian forces continued launching aerial bombardments against Ukrainian power grids and energy installations despite international calls for a bilateral energy ceasefire.  

Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine had honored a three-day operational pause in good faith to demonstrate its readiness for diplomatic resolution, but noted that ongoing strikes by Moscow made a unilateral hold unsustainable for national defense.

The announcement coincides with reports of immediate military action, as Ukrainian long-range strike units targeted an oil refining facility in Russia's Ryazan region, causing significant structural fires and triggering regional air defense deployments.

The breakdown of the temporary truce comes amid escalating diplomatic friction over Western military support, with Ukrainian leadership expressing deep frustration regarding recent operational restrictions placed on satellite communication networks and temporary gaps in real-time ballistic missile intelligence sharing.  

Military observers note that Ukraine's return to systematically targeting Russian refining capacity aims to disrupt fuel supplies for frontline units, cut export revenue, and exert economic pressure on Moscow as broad international peace efforts remain stalled.