Oil
Ukraine to resume attacks on Russian oil refineries
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says a brief pause in refinery strikes has ended due to ongoing Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.
Key points
- Ukraine halted strikes on Russian oil refineries for three days following U.S. requests.
- President Zelenskyy stated that Russia continued targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure despite an announced energy ceasefire.
- Crude oil prices fell slightly amid reports that the U.S. may lift sanctions on certain oil tankers.
What happened
Ukraine will restart drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, according to comments made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Financial Times and reported by OilPrice.com. Zelenskyy stated that he had previously ordered a three-day pause in refinery strikes to accommodate United States preferences regarding an energy ceasefire.
However, the Ukrainian leader noted that Russia failed to adhere to the truce, continuing to strike critical energy installations and civilian areas. "The block is out. We're done," Zelenskyy told the Financial Times, referencing the decision to resume the offensive operations.
Why it matters
The developments come amid tight global fuel markets. US President Donald Trump has previously urged Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian refining capacity to help alleviate a worldwide diesel crunch. Global oil markets have experienced elevated pricing pressures, with Brent spot prices recorded at 125.44 US dollars per barrel and WTI at 96.24 US dollars per barrel on 6 October 2026, according to US Energy Information Administration data provided by CEII.
Simultaneously, crude prices dropped by about 1% in Asian trading following reports that Washington is considering lifting sanctions on tankers transporting petroleum from Russia, Venezuela, and Iran to ease shipping bottlenecks.
What comes next
With diplomatic efforts faltering and both sides continuing to target energy facilities, international observers and market participants remain focused on the security of regional energy flows and potential shifts in international sanctions policy.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Crude benchmarks move budgets, currencies and inflation in producer and importer countries alike. For economies such as Nigeria, where fuels dominate exports, production and refining decisions move the whole economy.
43.1% of Russia’s merchandise exports were fuels in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
