Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Refinery as Zelenskyy Abandons Energy Ceasefire

October 15, 2026: Ukraine struck a Russian oil refinery in the Ryazan region on Thursday after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv would no longer observe an energy ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump. Zelenskyy also criticised Trump's approach to negotiations with Moscow.

The attack marks a further deterioration in relations between Kyiv and Washington. The Ryazan refinery, owned by Russian state oil company Rosneft, accounts for nearly 5% of Russia's refining capacity and helps supply the Moscow region.

Regional Governor Pavel Malkov said a large Ukrainian drone attack had caused a fire at the refinery. Russian President Vladimir Putin played down the impact of Ukraine's long-range attacks on Russian oil infrastructure.

Energy Ceasefire Breaks Down

Trump announced an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine over the weekend. Ukraine subsequently paused attacks on Russian refineries, but Kyiv accused Moscow of continuing missile and drone strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure, including power facilities.

In an interview with the Financial Times published on Thursday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine's patience had run out and indicated that attacks on Russian refineries would resume.

Zelenskyy also criticised Trump's willingness to negotiate with Moscow and questioned the reasons behind recent restrictions affecting Ukraine's use of Starlink satellite communications.

Concerns Over Starlink and Intelligence Sharing

Ukrainian officials said changes affecting military-grade Starlink terminals had disrupted the operation of some Ukrainian drones. They also reported receiving fewer advance warnings from Western allies about incoming Russian missile attacks. Trump has denied withholding intelligence from Ukraine.

British Defence Minister Wes Streeting said he and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth welcomed the restoration of Starlink services in Ukraine and called for renewed cooperation.

SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk said on social media that Starshield systems were owned and controlled by the US government, with decisions on their use ultimately resting with US authorities.

European Leaders Discuss Security

Zelenskyy was scheduled to attend a European Union summit on Friday, where discussions were expected to include Ukraine's air defences and continued international support.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin said Ukraine's attacks on Russian energy infrastructure undermined US-led peace efforts. Russian officials also maintained that the precise terms of the proposed energy ceasefire had not been fully established.

Black Sea Shipping Risks

Separately, rescuers searched for seven missing sailors after drones struck two chemical tankers near Romania's Black Sea coast, setting the vessels ablaze. The incident added to concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the region.

Ukraine has continued targeting Russian refineries and logistics facilities, saying the strikes are a response to Russia's repeated attacks on Ukrainian territory and infrastructure. The breakdown of the proposed energy truce has raised further concerns about the conflict's impact on energy supplies, civilian infrastructure and regional security.