Oil
Ukraine resumes Russian refinery strikes as energy truce collapses
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announces a resumption of attacks on Russian oil refineries following renewed strikes and shifting US policy.
Key points
- Ukraine resumes attacks on Russian refineries after an unconfirmed energy ceasefire collapsed.
- President Zelensky cited renewed Russian strikes on energy infrastructure as the primary driver for ending the pause.
- Tensions grew between Kyiv and Washington over restricted military capabilities and intelligence sharing.
What happened
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that his administration would resume targeting Russian oil refineries, marking the collapse of a short-lived energy ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump. According to Punch reporting, the temporary pause lasted for several days despite unconfirmed Russian claims that attacks continued.
The policy shift follows renewed Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure on Wednesday. On Thursday, Russian authorities reported a subsequent attack on an oil refinery located in Ryazan, south of Moscow.
Why it matters
The breakdown in the unofficial truce highlights the volatility of international energy politics and security arrangements. During the brief pause in refinery strikes, Kyiv reported restrictions on access to vital US military capabilities and intelligence networks, including slowed satellite communications through the Starshield network.
Such disruptions to intelligence sharing pose operational challenges for Ukraine's air defence systems, which rely on early warnings to protect urban centres from ongoing aerial assaults.
What comes next
Relations between Washington and Kyiv face renewed scrutiny as the US administration navigates its foreign policy stance towards Eastern Europe. President Zelensky expressed concern over the potential long-term curtailment of intelligence cooperation, while diplomatic channels continue to adapt to shifting political dynamics in Washington.
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.
85.9% of Nigeria’s merchandise exports were fuels in 2025Countries 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.
