Ukraine resumes drone attacks on Russian refineries after Zelenskyy declares truce over
RYAZAN, October 15, 2026 — Ukrainian drones struck a Rosneft-owned refinery in Russia’s Ryazan region early Thursday, hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared a brief U.S.-brokered energy ceasefire over.
Drone Strike Ignites Fire at Ryazan Refinery
The attack started a fire at the refinery located about 300 kilometers southeast of Moscow, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry and Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov. A senior Ukrainian official speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed Ukraine carried out the strike. The refinery, owned by Rosneft, supplies fuel to Moscow and accounts for nearly five percent of Russia’s total oil refining throughput. Governor Malkov said in a Telegram post that emergency services were assessing material damage at the scene.
Zelenskyy Says Truce Is Over
President Zelenskyy told the Financial Times that Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries would resume, stating “We’re done” after complying with Trump’s demand for a truce. He said Ukraine had refrained from such strikes since Trump’s surprise announcement of an energy ceasefire on Sunday. Zelenskyy expressed frustration that, despite observing the truce, Ukraine was denied usual Western intelligence on Russian ballistic missile strikes and faced limits on its use of U.S.-made Starlink communication terminals.
Trump-Putin Diesel Deal Draws Kyiv’s Ire
Zelenskyy criticized President Donald Trump’s agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to import Russian diesel, despite international sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. He said the deal would allow Russia to continue its full-scale invasion, which began more than 4½ years ago. Zelenskyy added that U.S. efforts under Trump to end the war have made no progress, and he felt betrayed by the energy ceasefire announcement, the Starlink restrictions, and the diesel agreement.
Russia Expands Drone Launch Capacity in Rostov
Satellite images show Russia developing a 0.9-square-kilometre drone launch facility in its Rostov region over about six weeks. The site has eight launch platforms and could support attacks using Russia’s faster Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones. According to DroneSec, the facility could launch 100 or more jet-powered drones in 24 hours, depending on supplies and operational requirements. The facility lies about 3.5 kilometres from Russia’s Millerovo air base.
Ukrainian Officials Detail Intelligence and Communication Restrictions
Zelenskyy complained that, despite going along with Trump’s demand for a truce, Ukraine in recent days was denied the usual Western intelligence on Russian ballistic missile strikes and limits were placed on its use of U.S.-made Starlink communication terminals. The Ukrainian government said that it was heeding the ceasefire. Zelenskyy was outraged by Russia’s continuing aerial bombardment of his country’s energy infrastructure in apparent defiance of Trump’s demand on Sunday for both sides to halt those attacks. The strike could further complicate Kyiv’s relations with U.S. President Donald Trump, which have soured again in recent days.
Senators Urge Trump to Abandon Diesel Deal with Russia
Twelve U.S. senators, including six Republicans, told Trump to drop the diesel deal with Russia. Zelenskyy criticized Washington’s eagerness to strike business deals with Moscow and Trump’s apparent admiration for Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Trump on Saturday called for Ukraine to replace Zelenskyy and railed against Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, one day after announcing a diesel supply deal with Russia, aiming to lower fuel prices that have soared since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began in February.
Sources
- Ukraine resumes attacks on Russian oil refineries, officials say, after brief truce
- Russia Builds 126-Football-Pitch Drone Base Near Ukraine In Six Weeks | Outlook India
- Ukraine resumes attacks on Russian refineries, as Zelenskyy expresses frustration with U.S. | CBC News
Photo: kishjar? from Moscow, Russia (CC BY 2.0)
