Zelensky: Ukraine to hit Russian oil refineries — SkimNews
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- Zelensky said Ukraine will target Russian oil refineries in response to a "new doctrine" — per documents obtained by Ukrainian intelligence — in which Putin authorized strikes on civilian infrastructure, logistics, roads, schools, and hospitals to pressure people to leave Kyiv and other cities, while stressing Ukraine would not deliberately target civilians.
- A Ukrainian counteroffensive code-named "Vivaldi" has recaptured roughly 140 sq km in the eastern Donbas region and remains ongoing; Russia says it must control all of Donbas as a condition for any peace deal.
- Trump last month urged Ukraine to refrain from hitting Russian oil installations, saying the strikes were sending global diesel prices surging; Zelensky told Reuters he has received no indication that Putin is interested in peace talks or a ceasefire on energy infrastructure.
- Ukraine has downed around 60% of Russia's jet-powered Shahed drones using F-16s and MiG fighters, but 20mm ammunition is running low; the first shipment of small air-defense missiles to counter the new Shaheds is expected in the second half of October, and two of five new interceptor-drone models tested at roughly 30% success.
- Zelensky personally pressed Fire Point to finish its longer-range FP-9 missile — which the company says could reach Moscow — saying "where is my FP-9?" and expecting it ready "this autumn."
- After talks with European officials in Brussels, Ukraine unlocked funding to close a US$27-billion hole in its 2025 defense budget through budget reallocation, bilateral assistance, and "money credits" drawn against next year's portion of a €90-billion EU loan.
Why it matters: Zelensky's vow to keep striking Russian refineries directly contradicts Trump's public request last month to stop, and the timing matters: Russia has stockpiled hundreds of ballistic missiles for a winter assault on Ukraine's energy grid, while Kyiv's F-16s are downing only about 60% of the new jet-powered Shaheds and 20mm ammo is running low — a 30% interceptor-drone success rate is the best Ukraine has tested so far.
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