Zelensky lifts pause on Ukraine's strikes against Russian oil refineries

President Volodymyr Zelensky has lifted Ukraine's restrictions on striking Russian oil refineries following Russia's ongoing assaults on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, according to an interview with the Financial Times on October 15. The ban on targeting refineries has been lifted, as stated by Zelensky. U.S. President Donald Trump had unilaterally announced an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine on October 11, causing confusion in Kyiv.

Ukraine had refrained from attacking Russia's refineries for three days in compliance with the U.S. request, while Russia resumed its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, including power grids and civilians. Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi reported that nearly all of Kyiv's combined heat and power stations, as well as critical infrastructure in Kyiv Oblast, were targeted by Russian missiles and drones overnight, leaving 600,000 people without power.

Zelensky stated that Ukraine would only agree to cease strikes on Russian energy infrastructure if Ukraine received more U.S.-made Patriot interceptor missiles, deeming it the "minimum." However, halting strikes on Russian energy might also pave the way for additional agreements between Washington and Moscow, potentially benefiting Putin's war efforts, according to Zelensky.