Ukraine launched a drone strike on a Russian oil refinery in the Black Sea region on Thursday, marking a renewed escalation in the conflict. The attack targeted a facility in the port city of Novorossiysk, a key hub for Russian energy exports. The strike, which began a fire at the site, followed a brief pause in operations ordered by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in response to a U.S. Demand.
Ukrainian forces had previously agreed to a temporary truce on energy-related targets, but Zelenskyy claimed Moscow failed to honor the agreement. The attack was carried out using drones, a method increasingly used by both sides in the war. The strike was part of a broader campaign targeting Russian infrastructure, including data centers and ports, as part of Ukraine’s efforts to disrupt Russian supply lines.
The decision to resume strikes came after the U.S. Military satellite network, Starshield, was abruptly throttled, limiting Ukraine’s ability to coordinate attacks. The system was later restored, but the cause of the disruption remains unclear. Zelenskyy expressed frustration with U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously pressured Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian refineries.
This incident follows a series of Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, which Moscow has framed as retaliation for Ukrainian attacks. Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for international support to continue targeting Russian military and economic assets. The attack on the refinery underscores the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and the U.S. As well as the broader strategic conflict between Kyiv and Moscow.
