Ukraine resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries on Thursday, ending a brief, unilateral truce announced by U.S. President Donald Trump that Kyiv said Moscow had not respected. The strikes marked a significant escalation in tensions between Ukraine and the Trump administration amid growing disputes over military support and a U.S.-Russia energy deal.
According to Russian officials, including the Defense Ministry and Ryazan regional governor Pavel Malkov, a drone strike targeted a refinery approximately 180 miles southeast of Moscow in the Ryazan region, igniting a sizable fire. Russia accused Ukraine of violating Trump’s self-declared "energy ceasefire," a pause on strikes against energy infrastructure meant to reduce global fuel price pressures. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed Ukraine never truly halted these attacks, though independent verification of either side’s claims remains unavailable.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv complied with the temporary pause but resumed strikes after Russia continued its bombardment of Ukrainian energy facilities. In an interview published Thursday, Zelensky expressed frustration with what he described as inconsistent U.S. positions under Trump’s administration, including restricted intelligence sharing and limits on the use of Starlink satellite communications technology crucial to Ukraine’s defense. He said, “The block is out. We’re done,” signaling the end of Ukrainian restraint on targeting Russian refineries, which Kyiv views as funding Russia’s continued military aggression that began more than four years ago.
Zelensky also spoke candidly about feeling betrayed by Trump, particularly criticizing a deal Trump struck with Russian President Vladimir Putin to import Russian diesel. The Ukrainian leader argued this agreement undermines international sanctions on Moscow and enables Russia to prolong the conflict. Zelensky contended that Trump, influenced by advisers, has taken a stance he described as “not the right side of history,” saying, “It’s painful when President Trump chooses one side, not our side.”
The Trump administration’s position has become a source of deepening concern for Kyiv and several European allies. The European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas reiterated Europe’s support for Ukraine and distanced the bloc from Trump’s approach, emphasizing the need to pressure Russia rather than urge Ukrainian capitulation. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials reported disruptions to Starshield, a military version of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite system, and acknowledged a recent halt to some U.S. intelligence sharing on Russian missile launches, which has left Ukraine more exposed to attacks.
Russian forces simultaneously intensified their assaults on Ukraine, with over 850 drones reportedly launched overnight targeting multiple regions, including a prolonged attack on the central Kirovohrad region that killed three civilians and injured six. Ukrainian air defenses claimed to have intercepted hundreds of Russian drones during these strikes, while Ukrainian forces reported successful retaliatory strikes on an airfield in southwestern Russia, destroying multiple warplanes.
Zelensky traveled to Brussels on Thursday to meet European Union and NATO leaders, including NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and French President Emmanuel Macron, seeking renewed support amid fears of waning U.S. backing. Following his visit to London, where U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged additional assistance, Zelensky urged the international community to remain steadfast in supporting Ukraine’s defense efforts.
The recent developments underscore the volatile dynamics shaping the conflict, with strained U.S.-Ukraine relations, increased Russian attacks, and Ukraine’s determination to maintain pressure on Russian energy infrastructure despite geopolitical complexities.