Ukraine will intensify attacks on Russian oil refineries in response to what President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described as a new Russian strategy of targeting civilian infrastructure to drive people from major cities.
Zelenskiy said Ukrainian intelligence had obtained documents indicating that Russian President Vladimir Putin had authorized a broader campaign against infrastructure, transport links and other targets ahead of the winter.
“We saw documents and we know that they allow them to attack infrastructure, logistics, and especially to attack in the cities, in the villages, everywhere, roads, schools, hospitals,” Zelenskiy told Reuters in an interview.
He said the aim was to put pressure on civilians and force residents to leave Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
Zelenskiy said Ukraine would respond to attacks on its energy infrastructure by targeting facilities that generate revenue for Russia’s war effort, particularly oil refineries, while avoiding deliberate attacks on civilian targets.
“With their attacks on our energy, we have to respond on their energy. First of all, oil refiners etc: what gives money to them for this war,” he said.
“But we will not respond, of course, just like them, on any civilian objects.”
Russia has said its strikes inside Ukraine are retaliatory responses to Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory. Both countries deny deliberately targeting civilians.
The Kremlin did not immediately comment on Zelenskiy’s claims. In a statement urging foreign nationals to leave Kyiv, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Moscow would continue systematically striking targets in Ukraine in response to what it described as Ukrainian attacks.
Ukraine Claims Gains in Donbas
Zelenskiy also said Ukrainian forces had recaptured about 140 square kilometres of territory in the eastern Donbas region during a counteroffensive code-named “Vivaldi”.
He said the operation was continuing, although Russia has insisted that securing full control of Donbas remains a key condition for any peace settlement.
The reported Ukrainian gains come as US President Donald Trump’s administration seeks to revive negotiations aimed at ending the conflict, now in its fourth year.
Trump has previously urged Ukraine to stop striking Russian oil facilities, arguing that attacks on energy infrastructure were contributing to higher global diesel prices.
Zelenskiy said, however, that he had seen no evidence that Putin was prepared to pursue meaningful negotiations or agree to a ceasefire covering energy infrastructure.
He said Ukraine would be willing to meet Putin for peace talks at the G20 summit in Miami in December, but warned against normalising relations with Russia before the fighting ends.
“Because peace is more important than any kind of economy,” Zelenskiy said.
The US has also proposed resuming trilateral negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States in the United Arab Emirates, although Zelenskiy said no final date or location had been agreed for the next technical-level talks.
Kyiv Faces Intensifying Russian Attacks
Kyiv has faced repeated Russian drone and missile strikes in recent weeks, with attacks targeting energy and telecommunications facilities as well as road and rail infrastructure.
Zelenskiy said Russian forces had also targeted bridges across the Dnipro River connecting the eastern and western parts of the capital, marking a new development in the attacks.
Ukrainian officials are preparing for another difficult winter, warning that Russia has accumulated hundreds of ballistic missiles that could be used against electricity and water infrastructure.
Last winter, Russian attacks caused widespread disruptions to power and heating supplies in several parts of Ukraine.
Russia has also increased its use of jet-powered Shahed drones, launching dozens of the relatively inexpensive weapons against Ukraine each day.
Zelenskiy said Ukrainian air defences were struggling to intercept the faster drones and had relied heavily on F-16 and MiG fighter aircraft, which had destroyed about 60% of the jet-powered Shaheds.
However, he said supplies of 20mm ammunition for the fighter jets were running low.
Ukraine is working to expand electronic warfare capabilities and develop cheaper interceptor systems. Zelenskiy said the country expected its first shipment of small air-defence missiles designed to destroy the new Shahed variants in the second half of October.
Ukraine is also developing five interceptor drone models specifically designed to counter the jet-powered drones. Tests of two models have produced success rates of about 30%, Zelenskiy said.
“We’ll have to scale it,” he said. “I hope that with all these things, with all these elements, we’ll find a way.”
Ukraine Develops Longer-Range Missiles
Ukraine this week announced the first combat use of its domestically produced FP-7 ballistic missile, which has a reported range of about 250 kilometres.
Zelenskiy said he had pressed defence manufacturer Fire Point to accelerate work on a longer-range version, the FP-9, which the company says could reach targets around Moscow.
“I said to them, where is my FP-9?” Zelenskiy said. “We need the FP-9. And the FP-9 will be ready this autumn, I’m sure.”
The Ukrainian president also accused Russia of using drone incursions and other hybrid operations in Europe to intimidate populations and weaken public support for Ukraine.
He said several European governments were increasingly recognizing the threat and taking a tougher position towards Moscow.
Russia has rejected such accusations as unfounded, describing them as part of what it calls anti-Russian hysteria.
Europe Backs Ukraine’s Defence Effort
Zelenskiy said Ukraine had secured additional financial support from European partners to maintain its military operations into early 2027 following meetings with European officials in Brussels.
He said Kyiv had been working with its partners to close a $27 billion gap in its defence budget.
The funding plan includes reallocating Ukraine’s own budget resources, securing bilateral assistance and drawing on what Zelenskiy described as “money credits” from the next tranche of a €90 billion European Union loan.
“We will close this,” Zelenskiy said. “I think this is absolutely a big success for our country.”
With Russia preparing for another winter campaign and diplomatic efforts still uncertain, Zelenskiy said Ukraine would continue strengthening its defences while responding to Russian attacks on its critical infrastructure.
Source: Reuters
