The key facts

  • Zelensky said he lifted the ban on strikes on Russian refineries after Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy system
  • According to Zelensky, more than 100 civilians were killed in a week of shelling
  • Russia reported an attack on the Ryazan refinery with 69 drones and four Flamingo missiles

End of the pause in strikes on refineries

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the end of the three-day pause in attacks on Russian oil refineries, which also marked the end of the 'energy truce' announced by US President Donald Trump. In an interview with the Financial Times, Zelensky explained that he ordered the military not to attack Russian refineries and diesel fuel-related facilities during the truce so that no one could accuse Ukraine of violating it. According to him, in the first two days Russia carried out 'not too strong' strikes on Ukrainian gas stations and fuel infrastructure, but on the third day it attacked all of the country's major energy infrastructure facilities. Asked by a journalist how long Ukraine was ready to refrain from strikes, Zelensky replied: 'The ban on strikes [on oil refineries] is lifted. That's all. Enough.'

Reason for the decision

Zelensky said that after the Russian strikes on Wednesday evening, including the deaths of civilians in Lutsk, he told the military that the pause was over. According to him, Ukraine honored the US request and did not attack energy facilities in Russia for three days, while Moscow continued striking Ukraine's power grid. Over the past week, according to Zelensky, more than 100 civilians were killed.

First strike after the pause — the Ryazan refinery

The first attack after the short pause was a strike on the Ryazan oil refinery owned by Rosneft. The refinery is considered important for supplying Moscow and Moscow Region. Ryazan Region Governor Pavel Malkov reported on the morning of October 15 that classes were canceled at 14 schools and 25 kindergartens in Ryazan due to a 'massive drone attack on the region.' The monitoring channel Exilenova+ published a video showing flames over the Ryazan refinery and suggested it was connected to an attack by Ukrainian drones. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked the plant with 69 drones and four Flamingo cruise missiles; according to the defense ministry, the drones and missiles were shot down, but a fire broke out due to debris from a drone falling on the refinery's territory.