Zelenskiy Vows to Step Up Strikes on Russian Refineries After Moscow’s “New Doctrine” of Airstrikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says Ukraine will double down on attacking Russian oil refineries in response to a new Russian policy of airstrikes meant to push people out of Kyiv and other cities. In an interview with Reuters, he said Ukrainian intelligence has obtained documents showing Vladimir Putin approved a “new doctrine” allowing attacks on infrastructure, logistics, roads, schools and hospitals ahead of winter. Zelenskiy said Ukraine will answer energy attacks with strikes on Russian energy, but will not target civilian sites. Moscow says its strikes are retaliation for Ukrainian attacks, and both sides deny hitting civilians on purpose.

Counteroffensive and Peace Talk Prospects

Zelenskiy said a counteroffensive code-named Vivaldi has retaken about 140 square kilometers in Donbas and continues. He sees no sign Moscow wants talks, even as the Trump administration pushes to revive negotiations and proposes trilateral meetings in the UAE with no date yet. He urged Washington not to normalize ties with Russia before peace returns.

Drone Defense and New Ukrainian Missiles

Russia is firing dozens of jet powered Shahed drones daily, and Ukraine relies on fighter jets to down about 60%, though ammunition is running low. Cheap air defense missiles arrive in late October. Ukraine used its FP-7 ballistic missile in combat this week and expects the longer-range FP-9 this autumn. Europe helped close a $27 billion defense budget gap.