Zelensky Vows to Resume Russian Oil Refinery Strikes, Accuses US of Withholding Support- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to resume attacks on Russian oil refineries, accusing Washington of using critical military support and intelligence-sharing as leverage to pressure Kyiv into halting its strikes.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Zelensky said Ukraine had temporarily limited attacks on Russian energy facilities for three days following a request from the United States. However, he argued that Moscow continued targeting Ukraine’s own energy infrastructure despite the proposed pause.
Expressing frustration over what he described as an unequal arrangement, Zelensky made clear that Kyiv would not continue restraining its operations while Russian attacks persisted.
The Ukrainian president also alleged that Washington had threatened to restrict intelligence-sharing if Ukraine refused to stop striking Russian oil facilities. According to Zelensky, Ukrainian officials were warned by their American counterparts that intelligence support could be blocked unless Kyiv halted the attacks.
US intelligence has played a crucial role in helping Ukraine detect incoming Russian aerial threats and strengthen its air defences. Early-warning information allows Ukrainian forces to prepare for missile and drone attacks, potentially reducing the damage inflicted on military positions, energy facilities and civilian infrastructure.
Any interruption to that support could therefore create additional challenges for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russian attacks.
Zelensky also raised concerns about restrictions affecting Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The network has become an important part of Ukraine’s wartime communications, supporting connectivity across areas where conventional infrastructure has been damaged or disrupted.
The Ukrainian leader suggested that the slowdown in Starlink services was deliberate, adding to concerns about Kyiv’s dependence on technology and intelligence provided by external partners.
The dispute comes amid renewed controversy over a proposed energy ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump. Zelensky had indicated that Ukraine would accept the arrangement if Russia agreed to follow the same restrictions.
However, he accused Moscow of continuing its attacks within hours of the announcement, leaving hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians without electricity. The Kremlin, meanwhile, had not formally confirmed its acceptance of the proposed agreement.
For Kyiv, the continued targeting of energy infrastructure has remained a major concern, particularly as Russian strikes threaten electricity supplies and other essential services. Ukraine has responded by attacking facilities linked to Russia’s oil industry, seeking to disrupt revenues that help finance Moscow’s war effort.
Oil refineries are particularly significant because they process crude oil into fuels used across the Russian economy, including products that support military operations. Ukrainian attacks on these facilities have formed part of a broader strategy aimed at weakening Russia’s ability to sustain its invasion.
Washington’s reported pressure on Kyiv has raised questions about the limits of US support and the extent to which military assistance could be tied to decisions about Ukraine’s battlefield strategy.
Zelensky also described feeling betrayed by Washington when discussing the apparent withdrawal of key elements of American support. In a separate interview with broadcaster Piers Morgan on Wednesday night, he agreed with the suggestion that the US had left Ukraine feeling betrayed.
The disagreement highlights the growing tension between Kyiv’s military objectives and Washington’s efforts to influence the course of the conflict. While the United States has played a major role in supporting Ukraine, decisions over intelligence access and other critical capabilities can have immediate consequences for the country’s defence.
Zelensky’s latest remarks signal that Ukraine intends to maintain pressure on Russian energy infrastructure despite the reported US demands. His accusations also underscore the difficulties of securing a ceasefire when the two sides disagree over its terms and compliance.
Whether Washington will respond to Kyiv’s decision to resume refinery strikes remains unclear. For Ukraine, however, the central issue is whether it can continue defending its territory while retaining access to the intelligence and communications systems that have become essential to its war effort.
