Zelensky Warns Strikes Will Resume, Russia Accuses Ukraine of Bombing Oil Refinery

Russia has claimed that Ukraine attacked an oil refinery on Thursday after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian strikes, paused at the urging of the United States, would resume. The latest developments have heightened tensions as the war continues to threaten energy infrastructure and regional security.

Zelensky said Ukraine had limited its attacks for three days while Russia continued striking Ukrainian energy facilities. “We’ve finished,” he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Kyiv had attempted to attack refineries on Wednesday, an allegation denied by Ukraine, while maintaining that no significant damage had occurred.

Zelensky also accused Washington of suspending intelligence-sharing with Ukraine to pressure Kyiv into halting its attacks. Ukrainian defence sources subsequently reported that some functions of Starlink satellite services had been restored. They said the “operation while on the move” feature of Starshield, Starlink’s military service, had been reinstated, although uncertainty remained over restrictions affecting drone operations.

Officials were still investigating the circumstances surrounding the changes. Separately, seven people were reported missing after a drone strike set a chemical tanker ablaze off the coast of Romania. Moscow also claimed to have struck two cargo vessels carrying military supplies destined for Ukraine’s Odesa port.

The Kremlin said Kyiv had attempted a major attack on a refinery in Ryazan, south of Moscow, early Thursday. Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed that four missiles and numerous drones were intercepted, while falling debris triggered a fire at the facility.

Zelensky said several Ukrainian cities had come under Russian attacks during the previous 24 hours. He had earlier agreed to the proposed energy ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump, provided Moscow also complied. Kyiv accused Russia of ignoring the proposal, leaving hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians without electricity. The Kremlin has not confirmed accepting the agreement.

Zelensky told broadcaster Piers Morgan that he felt disappointed with Washington following an apparent reduction in crucial support. Ukraine has also told the Financial Times that US officials warned continued strikes could jeopardise intelligence assistance, which is vital for detecting Russian air attacks and supporting drone operations.

European leaders expressed support for Kyiv. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto warned that restricting intelligence-sharing would be a serious mistake, arguing that Moscow could interpret reduced American assistance as a sign of Ukrainian weakness.

Zelensky met NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Brussels as European leaders gathered for a two-day summit. Rutte said their discussions covered implementing an energy ceasefire and maintaining allied support for Ukraine. Trump, meanwhile, has denied curtailing intelligence-sharing.