Ukrainian drones attacked an oil refinery in Russia’s Ryazan region early on Thursday, igniting a fire at the facility. This incident occurred shortly after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the termination of a brief truce and accused US President Donald Trump of undermining Ukraine’s defence capabilities against Russian aggression.

The strike was confirmed by a senior Ukrainian official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The refinery is located approximately 300 kilometres southeast of Moscow, and both the Russian Defence Ministry and Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov reported that the drone attack resulted in a significant fire at the site. A photograph of the blaze was published by Russian online news outlet Astra.

This attack is likely to exacerbate tensions between Kyiv and Washington, which have already been strained due to disagreements over the ceasefire, intelligence-sharing, and limitations on Ukraine’s use of US-backed communication systems.

Resumption of Attacks on Russian Facilities

Zelenskyy expressed frustration regarding ongoing Russian aerial assaults on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, despite Trump’s recent call for both sides to cease such attacks. The Ukrainian government claimed compliance with the ceasefire, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov asserted that Ukraine had never halted its assaults on Russian refineries, which have previously sustained damage.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov characterised Ukraine’s actions against oil facilities as a “direct and crude challenge” to President Trump. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine had not received its usual Western intelligence support concerning Russian missile strikes in recent days, despite agreeing to a truce.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Zelenskyy stated that his patience had run out, suggesting a return to strikes on Russian oil refineries. He remarked, “We’re done,” indicating a shift in Ukraine’s military strategy.

Concerns Over US Support and European Engagement

Zelenskyy also voiced his discontent with Trump regarding a reported agreement to import Russian diesel, which he claimed would enable Russia to continue its invasion. He expressed feelings of betrayal over the US president’s actions, especially concerning the ceasefire and the limitations on Starlink communication systems crucial for military operations.

During an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, Zelenskyy stated, “Our country has to survive, and we count on our real partners, strategic partners, the United States and President Trump.” He highlighted the inconsistencies in Washington’s actions as detrimental to their strategic partnership.

In light of concerns that US support for Kyiv might diminish, Zelenskyy was scheduled to visit Brussels for discussions with European Union leaders at a summit on Friday. Prior to this, he secured additional assistance from UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham during his visit to London.

Continued Violence in Ukraine

In a separate incident, three individuals were killed and six others injured in a Russian drone attack on Ukraine’s Kirovohrad region, which lasted over ten hours. Zelenskyy reported that Russia launched more than 850 drones against Ukraine between midnight and Thursday morning, highlighting the timing as particularly critical given Ukraine’s restricted defensive capabilities.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, air defences successfully intercepted 536 Russian drones during the extensive overnight assault, although impacts were recorded in 31 locations. Zelenskyy also claimed that a Ukrainian missile had destroyed six Russian warplanes at an airfield in southwestern Russia, which were reportedly used to launch attacks against Ukraine.

Conversely, Russia’s Defence Ministry stated that its air defences had shot down 166 Ukrainian drones overnight and confirmed strikes on two vessels carrying military cargo. The ongoing conflict continues to escalate, with each side accusing the other of violations and aggressive actions.

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