Kyiv said on Thursday it will resume missile and drone strikes against Russian oil refineries, ending a brief pause that was taken to accommodate a U.S. request for an “energy ceasefire.” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made the announcement in an interview with the Financial Times, saying Ukraine was “done” with the truce after Moscow failed to uphold its side of the deal, according to multiple outlets.
Escalation of attacks and diplomatic friction
Russian officials immediately accused Ukraine of violating a tacit understanding, with the BBC reporting that Moscow labeled the renewed strikes as “unprovoked aggression.” At the same time, Moscow launched swarms of drones against Ukrainian infrastructure in central regions, a move described by The Guardian as part of a broader Russian effort to pressure Kyiv despite Western calls for restraint.
The United States, represented by former President Donald Trump, had urged Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian energy sites, arguing that an “energy ceasefire” could create leverage for peace talks. The New York Times noted that Zelenskyy had previously paused the campaign to comply with that demand, but the resumption reflects growing frustration in Kyiv over what it perceives as a lack of reciprocal Russian concessions.
Starlink disruptions and claims of U.S. involvement
Compounding the tension, Ukrainian officials reported a sudden slowdown in the performance of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service, which is critical for both civilian communications and military coordination. Elon Musk publicly suggested that any limits on the system’s speed or usage are imposed by the U.S. military, not by SpaceX, a claim echoed by France 24 and CNBC. Musk said, "Any limits are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS," and warned that the curbs could hinder Ukraine’s operational capabilities.
"We are done with the energy truce," Zelenskyy told reporters, adding that Kyiv would "resume strikes on Russian refineries" to counter Moscow’s continued attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Analysts at the New York Times warned that the satellite disruptions expose Ukraine’s deep reliance on Starlink and its military variant, Starshield, for command‑and‑control functions. The outlet also highlighted a recent massive power outage that left 600,000 residents of Kyiv without electricity, underscoring the broader vulnerability of Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure.
European leaders convened in Brussels as the conflict intensified, with The Guardian noting that the situation “adds strain to an already fragile diplomatic environment.” While some EU officials called for renewed dialogue, others expressed concern that the resumption of refinery strikes could further destabilise global oil markets, a point raised by Bloomberg and OilPrice.com.
Despite the heightened risk, Ukrainian military officials say the renewed targeting of Russian refineries is intended to degrade Moscow’s ability to fuel its war machine. Reuters reported that the first strike after the pause hit a refinery in the Russian‑occupied region of Crimea, though exact damage assessments vary among sources.
International observers remain divided on the likely trajectory of the conflict. The New York Times argued that Russia may be seeking to “bomb Ukraine into submission” through intensified civilian suffering, while Al Jazeera warned that reduced missile warning capabilities—exacerbated by the Starlink slowdown—could raise the threat to Ukrainian civilians. The coming weeks will test whether the renewed Ukrainian offensive and the disputed U.S. pressure can reshape the strategic calculus on both sides.
