Zelensky: We Will Bomb Russian Refineries in Response to the New Airstrike Policy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Kyiv will not target civilians but will intensify its attacks on Russian oil refineries in response to Moscow's new policy of launching airstrikes aimed at forcing residents of Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities to leave. Zelensky added that Ukrainian intelligence obtained documents proving that Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a new policy to carry out broader attacks on civilian targets before the winter season. Zelensky continued, "We have reviewed the documents and know that they allow them to attack infrastructure... logistics... roads, schools, and hospitals, to pressure people to leave the capital and various cities." He added, "This is the goal of the operation."

Zelensky mentioned that the motivation behind this shift in policy is Putin's desire to appear strong at a time when his army is losing territory in a key area on the front line and is suffering more human losses. No comment could be obtained from the Kremlin on Saturday. However, in a statement urging foreign nationals to leave Kyiv, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow would continue to bomb targets in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russia in recent months. Both sides deny targeting civilians.

Counteroffensive in Donbas Zelensky stated that a Ukrainian counteroffensive, codenamed 'Vivaldi', is underway, in which the forces regained control over approximately 140 square kilometers of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, an area that Russia requires to be fully controlled to conclude any peace agreement. The administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump has sought in recent weeks to revive talks to end the four-year conflict that has resulted in the highest death toll in Europe since World War II. Trump urged Ukraine last month to refrain from bombing Russian oil facilities, stating that it leads to a rise in global diesel prices. However, Zelensky, who spoke while air raid sirens were sounding outside the presidential offices, said he had not received any indications from Russia that Putin is interested in peace talks or discussing a ceasefire regarding energy infrastructure. The Ukrainian capital faced continuous attacks last week from Russian drones and missiles targeting energy, communication, and road and railway infrastructure. Russia also targeted, for the first time, bridges over the Dnipro River connecting eastern Kyiv to the west. Zelensky stated that Ukraine would respond to this change in Moscow's tactics but that its response would not involve randomly bombing civilian infrastructure as Russia does. Zelensky said in English, 'We have to respond in any way we can. Given their attacks on our energy sector, we must respond to their energy sector. First and foremost, oil refineries: they are the ones providing them with the funds to wage this war. But we will not respond, of course, like them at all, to any civilian targets.']

Ballistic Threat Ukraine revealed days ago the first combat use of its locally manufactured ballistic missile (FB-7), which has a range of about 250 kilometers. Zelensky stated that he contacted the missile manufacturer, Firepoint, to urge executives to expedite the work on a longer-range model, the FB-9, which the company claims can reach Moscow. Zelensky smiled and said, 'I told them: Where is my FB-9 missile? We need the FB-9 missile. And I am sure that the FB-9 missile will be ready this fall.' He added that, after discussions with European officials in Brussels last week, Ukraine was able to secure funding to proceed with its requests for the drones it needs to continue fighting into early 2027. Ukrainian officials have been working on a plan with European partners to address a $27 billion shortfall in Kyiv's defense budget this year.