Ukraine Will Hit Russian Refineries in Response to Moscow's ‘New Doctrine’ of Airstrikes

Live updates

1. 49m ago

   Ukraine Vows More Refinery Strikes Over New Russian Air Doctrine

   Ukraine plans to double down on attacks against Russian oil refineries in response to a newly uncovered Moscow airstrike doctrine aimed at forcing residents to abandon Kyiv and other urban centers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that intelligence services obtained documents showing Russian leader Vladimir Putin told military leaders to abandon the rules of war and target a much broader range of civilian infrastructure ahead of the winter season. In return, Moscow has pledged to continue massive strikes on Kyiv and step up attacks after Kyiv vowed to hit the refineries. The exchange of strikes has already killed five people and hit a second bridge, while Russia urged foreign diplomats to leave Kyiv.

   Why it matters

   The escalation highlights a deteriorating winter strategy as both nations target critical energy and transport networks. While Ukraine persists with refinery strikes in defiance of pressure from Trump, Russia is widening its infrastructure campaign. Despite threats and intensified bridge and city bombardments, European Union officials confirmed that no EU member state embassy is leaving Kyiv.

   What is confirmed

   • Ukraine will double down on attacking Russian oil refineries in response to a new policy of airstrikes by Moscow designed to force people to abandon Kyiv and other cities.
   • Ukrainian intelligence services obtained documents showing that Vladimir Putin issued a new doctrine of military attacks on a much broader range of civilian targets ahead of winter.
   • Putin has told military leaders to abandon the rules of war, according to Zelenskyy.
   • Russia pledged to continue massive strikes on Kyiv and urged foreign diplomats to leave the city.
   • Five people were killed as Kyiv and Moscow traded strikes, and Russia hit a second bridge.

   Still unconfirmed

   • No EU member state embassy is leaving Kyiv, according to an official statement.

   What to watch next

   • Actual deployment and scale of increased Ukrainian drone attacks against Russian oil refineries in Samara, Bryansk, and other oblasts.
   • Further military actions or bridge strikes stemming from Russia's intensified airstrike campaign against Kyiv and Ukrainian infrastructure.
   • Potential diplomatic or peace-talk interventions by the United States amid the fresh push for negotiations.
   Sources used for this update (23)

   1. The Guardian — Ukraine persists with Russian oil refinery strikes in defiance of Trump
   2. Financial Times — Putin has told military leaders to abandon rules of war, Zelenskyy says
   3. Al Jazeera — Five killed as Kyiv and Moscow trade strikes, Russia hits second bridge
   4. Reuters — EXCLUSIVE: Ukraine will hit Russian refineries in response to Moscow's 'new doctrine' of airstrikes
   5. Reuters — Russia pledges to continue massive strikes on Kyiv, urges foreign diplomats to leave city
   6. www.straitstimes.com — Ukraine will hit Russian refineries in response to Moscow's 'new doctrine' of airstrikes
   7. The Guardian — Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv to increase oil refinery attacks because of Moscow’s winter strategy, Zelenskyy says
   8. Українська правда — Ukraine has hit targets in Russia's Samara and Bryansk oblasts, Zelenskyy says – video
   9. Bloomberg.com — Russia Again Strikes Kyiv Bridge as Infrastructure Attacks Widen
   10. Reuters — Russia to intensify strikes on Ukraine after Zelenskiy interview
   11. The Moscow Times — Russia to Intensify Strikes on Ukraine After Zelensky Interview
   12. politico.eu — Moscow says it will step up strikes on Ukraine after Kyiv vows to hit Russian oil refineries
   confidence 100%