‘We Have to Respond’: Zelenskyy Warns of Strikes on Russian Oil Refineries  

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine will step up attacks on Russian oil refineries and other energy facilities as Kyiv responds to what he described as a new Russian strategy of intensified strikes across Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.

In an interview with Reuters, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian intelligence had obtained documents that indicated Russian President Vladimir Putin had adopted what he called a “new doctrine” involving wider attacks ahead of the winter season.

“We saw documents, and we know that they allow them to attack infrastructure, logistics, and especially to attack in the cities, in the villages, everywhere, roads, schools, hospitals,” Zelenskyy told Reuters.

According to Zelenskyy, the objective was to put pressure on civilians to leave Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

Why is Ukraine targeting Russian oil refineries?

Zelenskyy said Ukraine would respond to Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure by targeting facilities that generate revenue for Moscow’s war effort, particularly oil refineries.

“With their attacks on our energy, we have to respond on their energy. First of all, oil refiners, etc.: what gives money to them for this war,” he said.

At the same time, Zelenskyy said Ukraine would not deliberately target civilian infrastructure.

“But we will not respond, of course, just like them, to any civilian objects,” he said.

Russia has also said its strikes are retaliatory and maintains that it is responding to Ukrainian attacks. Both Moscow and Kyiv deny deliberately targeting civilians.

What is happening in Kyiv?

Kyiv has faced repeated Russian drone and missile attacks in recent weeks, with strikes reported against energy and telecommunications infrastructure as well as road and rail links.

Zelenskyy said Russia had also targeted bridges over the Dnipro River connecting eastern and western parts of the Ukrainian capital.

Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia has accumulated ballistic missiles ahead of a possible winter campaign against electricity and water infrastructure.

The warnings echo previous winters when Russian attacks left parts of Ukraine without electricity and heating for extended periods.

What did Zelenskyy say about Ukraine’s counteroffensive?

Zelenskyy said a Ukrainian counteroffensive, code-named “Vivaldi”, had recaptured about 140 square kilometres of territory in the eastern Donbas region and was continuing.

Russia has maintained that it wants full control of Donbas as part of the conditions for a potential peace agreement.

The latest developments come as US President Donald Trump’s administration continues efforts to revive negotiations aimed at ending the war.

Trump had previously urged Ukraine to avoid attacks on Russian oil installations, arguing that such strikes were contributing to higher global diesel prices.

Zelenskyy, however, said he had seen no indication that Putin was prepared to seriously discuss a ceasefire or peace agreement focused on energy infrastructure.

What did Zelenskyy say about peace talks with Russia?

Zelenskyy said he would be willing to meet Putin for peace talks, including at the proposed G20 summit in Miami in December.

However, he warned against restoring economic and diplomatic ties with Moscow before Russia ends its military operations.

“It's not fair just to normalise,” Zelenskyy said, arguing that any restoration of relations should be linked to an end to hostilities.

“Peace is more important than any kind of economy,” he added.

The US has also proposed resuming trilateral discussions involving the US, Ukraine and Russia in the United Arab Emirates, although Zelenskyy said an exact date and venue had not yet been finalised.

How is Ukraine preparing for Russian drone attacks?

Ukraine is also working to strengthen its air defence ahead of the expected winter campaign.

Zelenskyy said Russia has been using large numbers of jet-powered Shahed drones, which Ukrainian air defence systems have found difficult to intercept because of their speed.

He said Ukrainian fighter aircraft, including F-16s and MiGs, had been used to intercept around 60 per cent of the jet-powered drones, but supplies of 20mm ammunition were running low.

Kyiv is therefore developing alternative systems, including electronic warfare capabilities and cheaper air-defence missiles.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine expects to receive its first shipment of smaller air-defence missiles designed to counter the new Shahed variants in the second half of October.

Ukraine is also developing five interceptor-drone models. According to Zelenskyy, two have already undergone testing, with a success rate of around 30 per cent.

“We'll have to scale it. I hope that with all these things, with all these elements, we'll find a way,” he said.

What is Ukraine’s new FP-7 missile?

Ukraine this week announced the first combat use of its domestically produced FP-7 ballistic missile, which has a reported range of around 250 kilometres.

Zelenskyy said he had spoken to manufacturer Fire Point about completing a longer-range version, the FP-9, which the company has said could reach Moscow.

“I said to them, where is my FP-9? We need the FP-9,” Zelenskyy said.

How is Europe supporting Ukraine?

Zelenskyy also said recent Russian drone incursions and alleged hybrid attacks in Europe were intended to intimidate European populations and weaken support for Ukraine.

Russia has rejected such accusations as baseless.

Following discussions with European officials in Brussels, Ukraine secured funding to purchase drones needed to sustain its military operations into early 2027, according to Zelenskyy.

Ukrainian officials have also been working with European partners to address a USD 27 billion gap in Kyiv’s defence budget for the year.

The proposed financing includes domestic budget reallocations, bilateral assistance and credits linked to a future tranche of a 90 billion euro European Union loan.

“We will close this (gap). I think this is absolutely a big success for our country,” Zelenskyy said.

(With inputs from ANI)