‘We’re Done With This’: Zelenskyy Declares Trump’s Energy Ceasefire Over as Ukraine Bombs Russian Refinery

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ended his country’s suspension of attacks on Russian oil refineries after Moscow continued striking Ukrainian energy facilities.

Ukrainian forces subsequently attacked a refinery in Russia’s Ryazan region, causing a fire.

The decision was announced on Thursday, October 15, 2026, days after US President Donald Trump declared that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop attacking each other’s energy infrastructure.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine had temporarily suspended its refinery strikes, but Russia had continued launching missiles and drones against Ukrainian power stations.

“The block (on attacking refineries) is out. We’re done,” he told the Financial Times in an interview.

The renewed Ukrainian attack came amid growing tensions between Kyiv and Washington over American intelligence support, restrictions on military satellite communications, and Trump’s efforts to negotiate with Moscow.

Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Refinery

Russian officials confirmed that an oil refinery in the Ryazan region, approximately 300 kilometres southeast of Moscow, had been attacked by Ukrainian drones.

Pavel Malkov, the regional governor, said the assault had caused a fire at the facility.

“The material damage is now being assessed. Emergency services are working at the scene,” Malkov said.

The refinery is operated by Rosneft, Russia’s state-controlled oil company.

A senior Ukrainian official also confirmed to The Associated Press that Ukrainian forces were responsible for the strike.

The Russian Defence Ministry said its air defences had responded to the attack.

The extent of damage to the refinery and any disruption to production had not been independently established.

Russian President Vladimir Putin played down the consequences of Ukraine’s long-range attacks on refineries.

He said the strikes had caused “nothing particularly significant”.

Russian officials have previously accused Kyiv of targeting civilian energy infrastructure, while Ukrainian authorities maintain that oil facilities contribute revenue and fuel to Russia’s military campaign.

Trump’s Ceasefire Announcement Followed by Russian Strikes

The dispute began after Trump announced on Sunday, October 11, that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an immediate ceasefire covering energy installations.

The announcement came without a detailed agreement being released by either government.

Kyiv said it had not been informed beforehand that such an agreement had been reached.

Nevertheless, Ukrainian authorities temporarily stopped attacks on Russian refineries while seeking clarification.

Moscow did not halt its military operations against Ukrainian energy facilities.

Russian missiles and drones struck several power stations and other infrastructure, causing extensive disruptions to electricity supplies.

Zelenskyy said approximately 600,000 people had been left without power following attacks earlier in the week.

He accused Moscow of disregarding the ceasefire proposed by Washington.

In a statement published by the Ukrainian presidency, Zelenskyy said the international community needed to increase pressure on Russia to secure a genuine halt to attacks on energy facilities.

He cited strikes on power infrastructure in Kyiv and Kharkiv after Trump’s announcement.

The Kremlin disputed Ukraine’s account of the pause in hostilities.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Ukraine had never completely stopped attacking Russian refineries.

The competing accounts could not be independently reconciled.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also criticised Kyiv’s decision to resume strikes, calling it a “direct and crude challenge to President Trump”.

Russian Drone Attacks Kill Three in Central Ukraine

The breakdown in efforts to protect energy infrastructure coincided with another extensive Russian aerial assault.

Ukrainian emergency services said three people were killed and six others injured in the central Kirovohrad region after drone attacks continued for more than 10 hours.

Zelenskyy said Russia had launched more than 850 drones overnight, targeting 15 Ukrainian regions.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported intercepting or otherwise stopping 536 drones, although strikes were recorded at 31 locations.

The figures could not be independently verified.

The attacks damaged civilian infrastructure, transport facilities, and residential areas.

Ukrainian officials said the bombardment added to pressure on the country’s electricity network, which has repeatedly been targeted during the war.

Zelenskyy accused Russia of escalating its attacks while Ukraine was observing the temporary suspension of strikes on refineries.

In remarks reported by Reuters, he said Kyiv would continue operations against Russian military and energy targets while the attacks persisted.

Zelenskyy Criticises US Intelligence and Starlink Restrictions

The collapse of the proposed energy ceasefire has coincided with disagreements over American military assistance to Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials say they have experienced interruptions in receiving Western early-warning intelligence about incoming Russian ballistic missiles.

Such information is important for identifying threats and preparing air defences.

Trump has denied that Washington stopped sharing intelligence with Kyiv.

Ukraine also reported restrictions affecting Starshield, the military version of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite communications service.

The system is used to support drone operations, communications, and battlefield coordination.

Ukrainian officials said terminals mounted on fast-moving equipment lost connectivity when travelling above approximately 160 kilometres per hour.

The restriction disrupted some drone missions, including operations intended to intercept Russian aircraft.

In his Financial Times interview, Zelenskyy rejected the suggestion that the limitations resulted from an ordinary technical malfunction.

“It was not a technical problem, it was the will,” he said.

Elon Musk, chief executive of SpaceX, said decisions governing Starshield’s operational restrictions belonged to the US government.

The White House has not confirmed that Trump personally ordered the changes.

Ukrainian officials have continued discussions with American authorities and SpaceX about restoring the service.

US Deal With Russia Adds to Disagreement

Another source of disagreement has been Trump’s decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports.

Washington recently announced an arrangement involving Russian diesel supplies as part of efforts to address rising international fuel prices.

The agreement followed a sharp increase in fuel costs amid the continuing conflict involving Iran.

Trump has criticised Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries, arguing that they contribute to higher diesel prices.

He has also called for Zelenskyy to be replaced, further straining relations with Kyiv.

Zelenskyy rejected the administration’s approach to Moscow, arguing that easing restrictions on Russian energy exports would provide additional resources to the Kremlin.

He also questioned Trump’s relationship with Putin and expressed concern about the consequences for Ukraine’s defence.

In an interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan, Zelenskyy said he felt betrayed by recent American decisions.

Asked directly whether he felt betrayed by Trump, he replied, “Really, yes, between us.”

He nevertheless maintained that Ukraine continued to regard the United States as an important strategic partner.

Ukraine Seeks More Patriot Missiles

Zelenskyy said he would consider another suspension of attacks on Russian energy facilities if Washington provided additional Patriot air defence interceptors.

He described the weapons as a minimum requirement for reconsidering the restrictions.

Patriot systems are used by Ukraine to intercept ballistic missiles and other aerial threats.

Kyiv has repeatedly requested additional interceptors as Russia intensifies attacks on cities and power infrastructure.

Zelenskyy also sought further European support during meetings with leaders attending a European Union summit in Brussels.

The talks involved NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and several European heads of government.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas criticised attempts to pressure Ukraine without securing corresponding concessions from Russia.

She said European governments continued to support Kyiv’s efforts to defend itself.

Ukraine’s decision to resume strikes on Russian refineries leaves Trump’s proposed energy ceasefire without an effective mutual commitment.

Neither Washington nor Moscow has announced a revised agreement governing attacks on energy infrastructure.

The renewed strikes also come as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022, continues into its fifth year.