Ukraine plans to intensify attacks on Russian oil refineries, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in direct response to what he describes as Moscow’s “new doctrine” of widespread airstrikes targeting Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. Zelenskyy revealed intelligence indicating Russia aims to force residents from major cities ahead of winter but stressed Ukraine will not target civilians. This comes as the U.S. has urged Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian oil, while Kyiv seeks further European support for its air defenses and budget.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared that Ukraine will intensify its targeting of Russian oil refineries. This move is a direct response to what Kyiv perceives as Moscow's "new doctrine" of airstrikes, strategically designed to compel residents to abandon cities like Kyiv. Zelenskyy, however, emphasized that Ukraine would strictly avoid targeting civilians.
Speaking in an interview with Reuters, Zelenskyy revealed that Ukrainian intelligence had acquired documents detailing a directive from Russian leader Vladimir Putin. This directive reportedly outlines a significant expansion of military attacks on a wider array of civilian infrastructure targets in the lead-up to the winter months.
"We've seen documents indicating they're authorized to strike infrastructure, logistics, and critically, to target cities, villages, roads, schools, and hospitals," Zelenskyy stated. He added, "The clear objective of this operation is to pressure people into leaving the capital and other urban centers."
Zelenskyy attributed this strategic shift by Moscow to Putin's perceived need to project an image of strength, especially as Russian forces face battlefield losses and increasing casualties in a crucial frontline area.
Efforts to reach the Kremlin for comment on Saturday were unsuccessful. However, the Russian Foreign Ministry, in a statement advising foreign citizens to depart Kyiv, asserted that Moscow would persist with systematic strikes, characterizing them as retaliation for recent Ukrainian assaults on Russian territory.
Both Ukraine and Russia consistently deny allegations of intentionally targeting civilian populations.
Counteroffensive in Donbas
President Zelenskyy also reported on the success of a Ukrainian counteroffensive, codenamed "Vivaldi," which has reclaimed approximately 140 square kilometers (54 square miles) of the eastern Donbas region. This operation remains active, despite Russia's consistent demand for full control of Donbas as a prerequisite for any peace agreement.
The U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has recently made efforts to restart negotiations aimed at resolving the four-year-old conflict, which stands as Europe's most devastating since World War II.
Last month, the U.S. leader had reportedly advised Ukraine against striking Russian oil facilities, citing concerns about escalating global diesel prices.
However, Zelenskyy, speaking amidst the blare of air raid sirens outside his presidential offices, stated that he had received no signals from Russia indicating Putin's interest in peace talks or a ceasefire concerning energy infrastructure.
The past week has seen Kyiv subjected to sustained assaults by Russian drones and missiles, targeting critical energy and telecommunications infrastructure, as well as road and rail networks. Notably, Russia has, for the first time, directed attacks at bridges spanning the Dnipro River, which link the eastern and western parts of the capital.
Zelenskyy affirmed that Ukraine would adapt its response to Moscow's shifting tactics, but reiterated that it would not indiscriminately target civilian infrastructure.
"We must respond in every possible way. Given their attacks on our energy sector, we must retaliate against their energy assets – primarily oil refineries and similar targets that fund this war," Zelenskyy articulated in English. "However, we will not, unlike them, target any civilian objects."
Support from Europe
Amid reports that the Trump administration had invited Putin to a G20 summit in Miami in December and engaged in business discussions with Russian representatives, Zelenskyy implored Washington against normalizing relations with Russia without first securing a genuine return to peace.
Zelenskyy expressed willingness to meet Putin for peace discussions at the G20, but cautioned the U.S. against harboring "illusions" that Russia would simply cease hostilities if it achieved control over Donbas.
Donning his characteristic black T-shirt and military-style jacket, Zelenskyy asserted, "It's not fair to simply normalize." He stressed that any restoration of economic and diplomatic ties with the West must be contingent upon Russia ending hostilities, emphasizing, "Because peace is more important than any kind of economy."
While the U.S. has floated the idea of resuming trilateral talks in the UAE in the coming weeks, Zelenskyy noted that concrete dates and locations for these technical-level discussions were still undefined.
Ukrainian officials have issued warnings that Russia has amassed hundreds of ballistic missiles, anticipating a significant winter offensive targeting crucial electricity and water infrastructure. Last winter, which marked the most severe period of the war, Russian strikes plunged vast areas of the country into multi-day blackouts and heating outages.
Since the summer, Moscow has also initiated daily launches of dozens of swift, relatively inexpensive jet-powered Shahed drones against Ukraine. Ukraine's air defense units have struggled to counter these threats, as their interceptor drones proved too slow.
Zelenskyy disclosed that Ukraine has been heavily reliant on its fighter aircraft, including F-16s and MiGs, to neutralize approximately 60% of these Russian jet-powered drones. However, he noted a concerning depletion of 20 mm ammunition supplies for these planes.
Kyiv is urgently pursuing alternative solutions, including enhancing its electronic jamming capabilities. The President confirmed that the first consignment of small, cost-effective air defense missiles designed to engage the new Shaheds is expected by the second half of October.
Just last week, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine is developing five distinct models of new interceptor drones capable of downing the jet-powered Shaheds. Following a meeting with his defense chiefs, he reported a modest success rate of about 30% from initial tests on two of these models.
"We'll have to scale it up," he remarked. "I am hopeful that with all these efforts and elements, we will discover an effective solution."
Ballistic Threat and European Support
This week, Ukraine announced the inaugural combat deployment of its domestically produced ballistic missile, the FP-7, boasting a range of approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles).
With a grin, Zelenskyy recounted pressing the manufacturer, Fire Point, to expedite the development of a longer-range model, the FP-9, which the company claims could reach Moscow. "I asked them, 'Where is my FP-9?'" he shared. "We require the FP-9, and I am confident it will be ready this autumn."
Zelenskyy also commented on a recent surge in Russian drone incursions and hybrid attacks across Europe, interpreting them as attempts to intimidate European populations and erode support for Ukraine. He noted a growing understanding and hardening stance among some European leaders regarding these threats.
Russia, conversely, dismisses such allegations as unfounded and products of anti-Russian sentiment.
Following recent discussions with European officials in Brussels, Ukraine has secured funding to procure necessary drones to sustain its defense efforts into early 2027, Zelenskyy confirmed.
Ukrainian officials have collaborated with European partners on strategies to address a substantial $27 billion deficit in Kyiv's defense budget for the current year.
These strategies encompass a multi-pronged approach: reallocating Ukraine's internal budgetary resources, securing bilateral assistance, and utilizing "money credits" derived from next year's allocation of a €90 billion EU loan, Zelenskyy elaborated.
"We will bridge this gap. I believe this represents a significant triumph for our nation," he concluded.
