At a Glance

• Zelensky says Ukraine will increase attacks on Russian oil refineries in response to Moscow’s expanded air campaign.
• He claims Russian intelligence documents show a new policy targeting infrastructure, logistics and urban areas ahead of winter.
• Zelensky says Ukraine will target Russian energy assets but will not deliberately strike civilian infrastructure.
• Kyiv says its forces have retaken around 140 square kilometers in the Donbas through the ongoing “Vivaldi” counteroffensive.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Kyiv will intensify attacks on Russian oil refineries in response to what he describes as a broader Russian campaign against civilian infrastructure.

Speaking to Reuters, Zelensky alleged that documents obtained by Ukrainian intelligence indicate Russian President Vladimir Putin has authorized a new military doctrine targeting a wider range of infrastructure ahead of winter.

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Key Statements

“It’s an evolution, not a revolution.”

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Ukraine Targets Russian Energy

Zelensky said Ukraine would respond to Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure by striking Russian energy facilities, particularly oil refineries that generate revenue used to support Moscow’s war effort.

He said Ukraine would not deliberately target civilian facilities.

“With their attacks on our energy, we have to respond on their energy.”

Zelensky’s Claim Of A New Russian Policy

Zelensky said Ukrainian intelligence had obtained documents indicating that Moscow intends to expand its strikes against infrastructure, logistics and urban areas.

He said the alleged objective was to pressure civilians to leave Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

The Kremlin did not immediately respond to the allegations in the supplied report. Russia says its strikes are retaliatory and denies deliberately targeting civilians.

Donbas Counteroffensive

Zelensky said Ukraine’s “Vivaldi” counteroffensive has recaptured approximately 140 square kilometers in the eastern Donbas region and remains underway.

The battlefield claims have not been independently verified in the supplied report.

Winter Air Defense Challenge

Ukraine is preparing for another winter of Russian missile and drone attacks against electricity, heating and water infrastructure.

Zelensky said Russia has increased its use of fast, jet-powered Shahed drones, which have challenged Ukrainian air defenses.

He said Ukraine is relying heavily on F-16 and MiG fighter aircraft to intercept the drones while developing electronic-warfare systems and cheaper interceptor missiles.

Ukraine is also developing new interceptor drones, with Zelensky saying initial tests of two models achieved success rates of around 30%.

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Zelensky's comments come amid continued Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and efforts by Washington and European governments to revive negotiations aimed at ending the war.

The Ukrainian president said Kyiv had received no indication that Putin was prepared to discuss either peace talks or a ceasefire covering energy infrastructure.

At the same time, Zelensky said he would be willing to meet Putin for peace talks at the G20 summit, while urging Washington not to normalize relations with Moscow before an end to hostilities.

He also said Ukraine had secured additional European financing to support its military effort into 2027, including measures aimed at addressing a reported $27 billion defense-budget gap.

FYI

The latest escalation reflects a continuing cycle in which Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure are met with Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy assets. Zelensky’s stated strategy is to target the economic infrastructure supporting Russia’s war effort while avoiding civilian targets, but the effectiveness and consequences of that approach remain tied to the broader battlefield and diplomatic picture. Meanwhile, Ukraine faces a separate winter challenge: maintaining sufficient air-defense capacity as Russia expands the use of missiles and increasingly fast attack drones.