Ukraine has resumed strikes on Russian oil refineries after accusing the US of betraying Kyiv with a withdrawal of support. The decision to resume strikes comes after a brief pause in attacks following President Trump's "energy ceasefire" announcement.
What happened
Ukraine had held off on attacks for three days after President Trump's announcement, but it accused Russia of repeatedly attacking its power grid. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced frustration over the Kremlin's failure to abide by the truce and what he sees as US attempts to pressure Kyiv.
The Ukrainian government has also expressed concern over the restriction of the Starlink internet service, which is critical for its defense against Russia. Satellite internet functionality via Starshield, the military version of the SpaceX service, has resumed at previous speeds for the moment, but Ukraine is still seeking clarification on the reasons for the recent limitations.
Zelenskyy has indicated that his patience has been exhausted, saying "The block [on attacking refineries] is out. We're done." Hours later, a fire was reported at an oil refinery in the western Ryazan region, with the Russian Defense Ministry saying Ukraine had "attempted a massive attack" on the refinery.
The US withdrawal of support has caused frustration and confusion in Ukraine and Europe, intensifying concerns over how much of an ally the US remains in the fight against Russia. Ukraine relies heavily on US intelligence and the Starshield satellite network to defend itself against Russian drone and missile attacks.
