Zelensky Ends Strike Pause, Demands More Patriot Missiles — SkimNews
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- Zelensky said Ukraine would resume strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, ending a three-day pause made at the US's request, telling the Financial Times 'We're done.'
- Russia's defence ministry said it intercepted Ukrainian missiles and drones targeting a refinery in Ryazan, with falling debris starting a fire; Putin claimed Kyiv had also tried to hit refineries on Wednesday.
- The US restricted intelligence-sharing and Starlink's 'operation while on move' capability to pressure Ukraine to halt strikes, though Ukrainian defence sources said some Starshield functionality was later restored.
- Zelensky conditioned any future strike pause on the US supplying more Patriot air defence missiles, citing a shortage since the Iran war consumed stockpiles.
- Russian forces launched more than 850 drones at Ukrainian cities on Wednesday, killing at least 13 people, with Kirovohrad suffering its largest attack since 2022 — a 10-hour barrage of nearly 360 drones.
- Italy's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto called US intelligence restrictions a 'complete mistake' as European leaders rallied around Ukraine at a Brussels NATO summit, with NATO chief Mark Rutte discussing the energy ceasefire.
- Zelensky criticised the US-Russia deal releasing 300,000 tonnes of Russian diesel to global markets as the US effectively 'investing in Russia's war effort,' warning 'the next deal will be gas.'
Why it matters: Zelensky's new condition — he will only pause strikes again if the US sends more Patriot missiles — exposes the transactional collapse of US-Ukrainian support, coinciding with a single-day barrage of 850+ Russian drones and at least 13 civilian deaths. The US simultaneously struck a deal to release 300,000 tonnes of Russian diesel to global markets, meaning Washington is pressuring its own partner while helping its adversary sell energy.
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