Zelensky to resume strikes on Russian refineries as energy truce collapses

The “block” was a temporary halt on Ukraine’s attacks against Russian oil refineries. Zelensky’s statement means Kyiv considers that pause finished. This matters because refineries supply fuel, while the strikes are part of Ukraine’s effort to retaliate against Russia’s attacks and pressure its war effort.

Trump had ordered Ukraine to stop targeting Russian refineries after announcing an energy ceasefire. Zelensky said Ukraine followed the restriction for several days. Russia nevertheless continued striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure, including renewed attacks on facilities on Wednesday. Russia also said Ukraine attacked a refinery in Ryazan on Thursday.

Zelensky therefore said, “The block is out. We’re done.” His words signal that Ukraine intends to resume refinery strikes. The decision could deepen tensions with Washington, especially because Zelensky said US intelligence and military access were restricted even after Ukraine paused its attacks.

An oil refinery is an industrial plant that processes crude oil into fuels and other petroleum products. These include diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, and products used by industry. Refineries matter in war because armies need dependable fuel for vehicles, aircraft, generators, and supply networks. Civilians also rely on fuel for transport and essential services.

An attack can stop or reduce production by damaging processing equipment, storage, power systems, or pipelines. The impact depends on the facility’s size, how quickly repairs happen, and whether other refineries can replace its output. A refinery does not produce crude oil; it converts crude into usable products.

The article describes Ukraine’s refinery strikes as retaliatory attacks after repeated Russian attacks on Ukrainian power infrastructure. Trump criticised those strikes and ordered Ukraine to stop targeting Russian refineries. Zelensky said the pause ended after Russia renewed attacks on Ukrainian facilities.

Trump unilaterally announced an “energy ceasefire” intended to halt attacks on energy-related targets. Moscow never publicly confirmed the arrangement, and Russia continued striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The ceasefire therefore produced no clearly mutual or reliable pause in attacks.

Ukraine did comply for several days with Trump’s order to stop targeting Russian refineries. Russia claimed Ukraine tried to attack refineries during that period, but Kyiv denied those claims. Meanwhile, renewed Russian strikes hit Ukrainian facilities on Wednesday. Russia also reported a Ukrainian attack on an oil refinery in Ryazan on Thursday.

Zelensky said the restriction was now over because Ukraine had stopped its attacks while Russian strikes continued. He also said that, despite complying, Ukraine faced reduced access to important US military capabilities and intelligence. Those developments made the pause appear costly and ineffective to Kyiv.

Russia has one of the world’s largest oil-refining systems, with roughly 6–7 million barrels per day of nameplate crude-processing capacity. That is the system’s theoretical maximum, not necessarily its regular output. The source article does not provide a capacity figure, so these estimates come from established energy-industry data rather than the article.

If several large refineries were damaged or forced to stop, the affected fuel volume could reach hundreds of thousands of barrels per day. A severe, wider outage might exceed one million barrels daily. The exact amount depends on which plants are hit, how long repairs take, available spare capacity, and whether fuel can be imported or redistributed.

The strategic effect would not equal the lost crude volume. Refineries produce specific fuels and products in different regions. Disruptions could therefore create local diesel or gasoline shortages even if Russia still has substantial national refining capacity.

Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Vladimir Putin influence the conflict from different positions. Trump controls US political decisions affecting Ukraine’s military support, intelligence, and satellite-related capabilities. Zelensky leads Ukraine’s response and decides whether Kyiv accepts restrictions on attacks. Putin leads Russia, whose forces continue attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

Trump announced an energy ceasefire, criticised Ukrainian refinery strikes, and ordered Ukraine to stop targeting Russian refineries. Zelensky said Ukraine paused those strikes for several days. After renewed Russian attacks, he declared that the “block” was over. Russia also reported a Ukrainian attack on a refinery in Ryazan.

The relationship among the three leaders remains central to what happens next. Zelensky warned that intelligence sharing was being cut off and described the situation as dangerous. Continued Russian attacks, US pressure, and Ukrainian retaliation could determine whether the energy conflict escalates or pauses again.

Refinery attacks threaten the fuel needed by armies, transport systems, generators, and emergency services. Power-infrastructure attacks create a different but connected danger: they can interrupt electricity, heating, communications, water systems, and industrial activity. Together, these attacks put pressure on both military operations and civilian life.

A damaged refinery may reduce production or force fuel to be transported from farther away. That can complicate military logistics and raise the risk of shortages. Damage to power facilities can disrupt factories, railway systems, hospitals, and household services. The article specifically says Ukrainian cities depend heavily on early warnings to protect themselves from Russian air attacks.

The conflict has already produced repeated strikes on Ukrainian power infrastructure. Ukraine expanded retaliatory strikes into Russian territory, including against refineries. If attacks continue, both sides may face greater pressure on fuel and energy systems, while civilians remain exposed to disrupted services and air attacks.

Modern warfare depends on fast, reliable communication and information. Satellite networks can connect commanders, units, and systems across damaged or remote areas. Intelligence helps identify threats before they arrive. Together, they support coordination, targeting, logistics, and civilian warnings. Losing either capability can slow decisions and increase vulnerability.

The article says Starshield, a military-used satellite network built on Starlink, was slowed on Wednesday. Zelensky said this was not a technical problem but “the will.” He also warned that cutting intelligence sharing with Kyiv would be dangerous because Ukraine relies heavily on early warnings to protect its cities from Russian air attacks.

Restrictions therefore have consequences beyond battlefield communications. They could make it harder for Ukraine to coordinate defence, anticipate attacks, and warn civilians. The issue also worsens political tensions between Washington and Kyiv, particularly after Zelensky said Ukraine complied with the refinery-strike pause but still lost access to key capabilities.