Ukraine Will Intensify Strikes On Russian Refineries In Response To Putin’s “New Doctrine” — Zelenskyy

Ukraine plans to escalate strikes against Russian oil refineries, following Russia's adoption of a new doctrine involving larger-scale attacks on civilian infrastructure, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy revealed this in an interview with Reuters, stating that Ukrainian intelligence had uncovered documents detailing Russia's intention to target a wider array of civilian assets, including highways, schools, and hospitals, in order to compel citizens to abandon major cities like Kyiv.

The president believes this shift is motivated by Putin's efforts to maintain a strong front while Ukrainian forces confront losses on a significant section of the frontline. Last week's relentless Russian drone and missile assaults on Kyiv, targeting energy, communications, and transportation networks, underscored the severity of the situation.

Zelenskyy made it clear that Ukraine will retaliate against Russia's incursions into its energy sector, specifically targeting oil refineries to cripple Russia's financial resources for the ongoing conflict. However, Ukraine will refrain from mirroring Russia's methods and will not strike civilian facilities, including schools and hospitals.

The Kremlin has yet to respond to Reuters' inquiries regarding this development, but Russia's Foreign Ministry has warned that Moscow will persist in targeting Ukrainian assets, asserting that these strikes are in response to Ukraine's actions against Russia in recent months. Zelenskyy cautioned the United States against normalizing relations with Russia until peace is reestablished, emphasizing that he would welcome a peace dialogue with Putin at the G20 summit, but cautioned against the notion that Russia would cease its aggression upon capturing the Donetsk region.