Ukraine resumes strikes on Russian oil refineries despite Trump pressure

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 17:38 · Archive

Ukraine has resumed attacking Russian oil refineries after a pause, defying reported US pressure to halt strikes on energy infrastructure.

Ukraine has resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries over the past three days, striking multiple facilities across Russia. Russian state media reported that the Kstovo refinery in Nizhny Novgorod oblast was hit overnight on Sunday, with photographs showing large fires and smoke billowing from the plant. Governor Gleb Nikitin described a 'massive drone attack' on an industrial facility that 'sustained significant damage'. Strikes were also reported on the Novokuibyshevsk refinery in Samara oblast on Friday and the Kamensky chemical plant on Saturday.

The attacks follow a roughly two-week pause in strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. The Wall Street Journal reported that Ukraine's military had paused such operations in response to pressure from Donald Trump, potentially until the US midterm elections on 3 November. However, Ukrainian officials told the Kyiv Independent newspaper that they never agreed to a demand from Jared Kushner, the US president's son-in-law, to pause refinery strikes for 30 days.

Kremlin officials complained that Kyiv is now 'simply ignoring' US wishes. Trump has blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for rises in global fuel prices and lifted US sanctions on Russian diesel last month. Zelenskyy has not acknowledged the latest refinery attacks, apparently to avoid US reprisals, instead saying his armed forces had destroyed a defence industry enterprise in Russia's Rostov region that makes missiles.

Ukraine's military has found ways to conduct long-range strikes without relying on SpaceX satellite services, according to Iryna Terekh, chief executive of Ukrainian arms manufacturer Fire Point. She told Reuters that the company had developed systems capable of completing missions without satellite links, citing navigation technology that works without external signals. This capability comes as Ukraine has faced restrictions on its use of SpaceX services for periods this month.

Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine was obliged to retaliate because of Russia's continued campaign using drones and ballistic missiles against city-based energy facilities. Russian forces struck four regions overnight, cutting electricity to hundreds of thousands of households, he said.

How it is being reported

• Zelensky says Putin is 'losing the war' as Russian oil refinery burns in huge strikeThe Ukrainian military claimed Russia suffered its worst battlefield losses in October - more than any other month since the Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion in 2022The Mirror · 1 Nov, 17:53
• Spectacular photos show Russian oil plants burn as Trump truce collapsesUkraine restarted its attacks on energy facilities in earnest over the course of 72 hoursThe i Paper · 1 Nov, 17:24
• Ukraine defies Trump to resume attacks on Russian oil refineriesKremlin officials say Kyiv is ‘simply ignoring’ US wishes days before midterm elections after reported strikes on two oil sites Ukraine has resumed its attacks on Russian oil refineries in defiance of pressure from Donald Trump ahead of the US midterm elections, with a ceasefire in the occupied town of Oleshky due to end late on Sunday. Russian state media said on Sunday Ukrainian long-range drones had set fire to the Kstovo refinery in Nizhny Novgorod oblast overnight, following soon after a major strike against another big refinery in Samara oblast, owned by the Russian state energy giant…The Guardian · 1 Nov, 17:20
• Ukraine-Russia war latest: Russian official says oil refinery hit in ‘massive’ drone attackRussian investigators open criminal case over suspected Ukrainian attack on industrial facilityIndependent World · 1 Nov, 10:38

In this story: Ukraine · Russia · Donald Trump · Volodymyr Zelenskyy · Jared Kushner · Rosneft · SpaceX

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log