Russia has said it will intensify strikes on Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine following comments by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that his country plans to step up attacks on Russian oil refineries.
The Russian Defence Ministry said on Sunday that its forces would increase attacks on military facilities, defence-industry sites and related infrastructure in Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions. The statement came after Zelenskiy spoke to Reuters about Ukraine’s plans to expand its strikes on Russia’s energy sector.
Zelenskiy said Ukraine would “double down” on attacks against Russian oil refineries in response to what he described as a new Russian policy of airstrikes aimed at putting pressure on residents of Kyiv and other cities.
The Ukrainian president said Kyiv had obtained documents that he claimed showed Russia was preparing to broaden its attacks against infrastructure, logistics and other targets. Moscow has not accepted those claims.
Russia, meanwhile, has described its recent attacks as retaliation for Ukrainian strikes inside Russia. Both countries deny deliberately targeting civilians.
The latest escalation follows a series of Russian attacks on infrastructure in Kyiv, including strikes affecting bridges across the Dnipro River. The attacks have disrupted transport and other services in the Ukrainian capital as the country prepares for winter.
Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russian oil facilities as part of its long-range campaign, arguing that the energy sector helps finance Moscow’s war effort. Zelenskiy said Ukraine would focus on oil refineries rather than civilian sites.
The worsening exchange of attacks comes as diplomatic efforts to end the war remain uncertain. US President Donald Trump’s administration has been seeking to revive negotiations, but Zelenskiy said he had seen no indication that Russian President Vladimir Putin was ready to discuss a ceasefire on energy infrastructure.
The escalation also comes amid growing concerns about Ukraine’s ability to protect its cities and critical infrastructure during the winter. Ukrainian officials say Russia has stockpiled missiles and expanded its use of drones, while Kyiv is working to strengthen its air-defence capabilities.
With both sides signalling further military action, the latest developments point to another potentially difficult period for Ukraine, while efforts to restart meaningful peace negotiations remain unresolved.