Volodymyr Zelensky announces the resumption of attacks on Russian refineries: “The ban [...] has been lifted. We are done with it”

Ukraine will resume attacks on refineries in Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with the Financial Times, published Thursday and cited by Reuters. The announcement comes after Moscow accused Kyiv of striking two Russian refineries, in the regions of Saratov and Ryazan, although Ukraine had expressed its willingness to respect an “energy ceasefire” proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

“The ban on attacking refineries has been lifted. We are done with it,” Zelenskyy said. The statement indicates the official resumption of a tactic used by Ukraine to damage energy infrastructure and Russia’s capacity to process fuel.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak claimed that the attacks were carried out on Wednesday and that Ukraine does not intend to move toward an energy ceasefire. The Kremlin, however, says that such an agreement has not been finalized, so Russia cannot be accused of violating it.

Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have caused power outages. Ukrenergo reported emergency interruptions after three thermal power plants in the Kyiv region were hit, while similar problems were reported in Kharkiv.