Ukraine will step up attacks on Russian oil refineries in response to what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as a new Russian strategy of expanding air strikes against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Zelenskyy told Reuters that Ukraine would continue to avoid deliberately targeting civilians, while striking energy facilities that generate revenue for Russia’s war effort.
Citing documents obtained by Ukrainian intelligence services, Zelenskyy said Russian President Vladimir Putin had authorised attacks on a much wider range of infrastructure and civilian areas ahead of winter.
“We saw documents and we know that they allow them to attack infrastructure, logistics, and especially to attack in the cities, in the villages, everywhere, roads, schools, hospitals,” Zelenskyy said.
He said the aim was “to pressure people to leave the capital, leave different cities”.
Zelenskyy attributed the change in Russian tactics to Putin’s efforts to project strength at a time when, according to the Ukrainian president, Russian forces were suffering higher casualties and losing ground in part of the Donbas.
The Kremlin was not available for comment on Saturday, Reuters reported.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry, however, urged foreign nationals to leave Kyiv and said Moscow would continue strikes it described as retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory. Both Moscow and Kyiv deny deliberately targeting civilians.
“We have to respond in any way we can. With their attacks on our energy, we have to respond on their energy. First of all, oil refineries, what gives money to them for this war,” Zelenskyy said.
“But we will not respond, of course, just like them, on any civilian objects.”
Ukraine pushes development of longer-range missile
Zelenskyy also discussed Ukraine’s first combat use of its domestically produced FP-7 tactical ballistic missile.
He said he had pressed manufacturer Fire Point to accelerate development of its longer-range FP-9 missile, which the company says could reach targets as far away as Moscow.
“I said to them, where is my FP-9?” Zelenskyy said. “We need the FP-9. And the FP-9 will be ready this autumn, I’m sure.”
Ukraine announced the FP-7’s first combat deployment this week. Fire Point says the FP-9 under development has a range of up to 850 kilometres.
Zelenskyy warns US against normalising ties with Moscow
Zelenskyy also urged Washington not to normalise relations with Russia before securing an end to the war.
His comments came after the Trump administration invited Putin to attend the G20 summit in Miami in December and held discussions with Russian representatives that included potential business deals.
Zelenskyy said he would be willing to meet Putin for peace talks on the sidelines of the G20 but warned the United States against believing that Russia would automatically end hostilities if it secured full control of the Donbas.
“Peace is more important than any kind of economy,” Zelenskyy said.
He said any restoration of Russia’s economic and diplomatic relations with the West should come in return for an end to Russian hostilities.
