by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief
KYIV/MOSCOW (Worthy News) – Ukrainian drones struck a major Russian oil refinery Friday, ending a reported pause in such attacks under pressure from U.S. President Donald J. Trump, who seeks to revive peace negotiations and curb soaring fuel prices ahead of midterm elections.
Ukrainian defense manufacturer Fire Point reported that its FP-1 drones hit the Novokuibyshevsk refinery in Russia’s Samara region, damaging a diesel-processing unit. Russian regional authorities acknowledged a drone attack, although the extent of the refinery damage remained unclear.
The strike came hours after The Wall Street Journal reported that Ukrainian forces had informally suspended attacks on Russian refineries following weeks of pressure from Washington.
Citing military officials familiar with the operations, the newspaper reported that Ukrainian long-range strike units were instructed in mid-October to halt refinery missions once operations already underway had been completed.
The unofficial pause was expected to last until after the November 3 U.S. midterm elections, potentially extending further into November. Reuters could not independently verify the reported arrangement.
PRESSURE FROM WASHINGTON
Trump has repeatedly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop attacking Russian oil infrastructure, blaming the strikes for rising fuel prices as his administration faces domestic political pressure.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump’s son-in-law and U.S. envoy Jared Kushner reinforced that demand while participating remotely in an October 20 meeting with Zelenskyy in Oslo, Norway. Kushner reportedly urged a temporary halt as a gesture supporting Washington’s diplomatic efforts.
However, Zelenskyy told reporters Tuesday that Ukrainian forces had become more cautious but had received no formal order prohibiting attacks on Russian refineries.
Ukraine has maintained that its long-range drone campaign is intended to disrupt fuel supplies and oil revenues supporting Russia’s invasion, which began in February 2022.
Kyiv has also sought reciprocal commitments from Moscow to halt attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities, which have suffered extensive damage ahead of winter.
RUSSIAN ATTACKS CONTINUE
Russia has continued missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, despite diplomatic efforts to secure an energy ceasefire.
On Thursday, a Russian drone struck a crowded railway platform in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, killing at least 15 people, according to Ukrainian officials. Other Russian attacks caused additional civilian casualties across the country.
The Ukrainian refinery strike highlights the difficulties facing Washington’s attempts to broker an agreement as fighting continues and relations between Trump and Zelenskyy remain strained.
Although Washington is pressing Kyiv to curb attacks on Russian oil facilities, Moscow has continued targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and civilian areas, complicating efforts to secure reciprocal restraint.
Yet with Ukrainians facing electricity shortages and Russian bombardments, uncertainty remains over whether diplomatic pressure will help them survive another harsh winter.
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