Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said Ukraine will keep attacking Russian oil refineries in retaliation for what he described as a new Russian doctrine of airstrikes targeting civilian infrastructure ahead of winter. The remarks came in an exclusive interview with Reuters in Kyiv on October 3, 2026.
Zelenskiy said Ukrainian intelligence had obtained documents showing President Vladimir Putin issued a "new doctrine" of military strikes on a broader range of civilian targets — including infrastructure, logistics, roads, schools and hospitals — aimed at forcing civilians to abandon Kyiv and other cities. "We have to respond in any way (we can)," he said. "With their attacks on our energy, we have to respond on their energy. First of all, oil refiners: what gives money to them for this war." He added that Ukraine "will not respond, of course, just like them, on any civilian objects."
Battlefield claims and new weapons
Zelenskiy said a Ukrainian counteroffensive code-named "Vivaldi" had recaptured around 140 sq km (54 sq miles) of the Donbas region. He also announced the first combat use this week of Ukraine's domestically made FP-7 ballistic missile, which has a range of around 250 km (155 miles), and said he expected the longer-range FP-9 to arrive "this autumn."
The Kremlin was not available for comment on the interview. The Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow would continue strikes it described as retaliatory for Ukrainian attacks. Both sides deny deliberately targeting civilians.
Wider implications
The pledge lands amid friction with Washington: Trump administration officials have pressed Kyiv to refrain from striking Russian oil installations, with the US president saying such attacks were sending global diesel prices surging. Zelenskiy also said a plan involving a €90 billion EU loan had plugged a $27 billion hole in Ukraine's defence budget this year.
Sources:
- Reuters: Ukraine will hit Russian refineries in response to Moscow's 'new doctrine' of airstrikes, Zelenskiy says
- Economic Times: India Latest News Updates Today, October 3
Zelenskiy said Ukrainian intelligence had obtained documents showing President Vladimir Putin issued a "new doctrine" of military strikes on a broader range of civilian targets — including infrastructure, logistics, roads, schools and hospitals — aimed at forcing civilians to abandon Kyiv and other cities. "We have to respond in any way (we can)," he said. "With their attacks on our energy, we have to respond on their energy. First of all, oil refiners: what gives money to them for this war." He added that Ukraine "will not respond, of course, just like them, on any civilian objects."
Battlefield claims and new weapons
Zelenskiy said a Ukrainian counteroffensive code-named "Vivaldi" had recaptured around 140 sq km (54 sq miles) of the Donbas region. He also announced the first combat use this week of Ukraine's domestically made FP-7 ballistic missile, which has a range of around 250 km (155 miles), and said he expected the longer-range FP-9 to arrive "this autumn."
The Kremlin was not available for comment on the interview. The Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow would continue strikes it described as retaliatory for Ukrainian attacks. Both sides deny deliberately targeting civilians.
Wider implications
The pledge lands amid friction with Washington: Trump administration officials have pressed Kyiv to refrain from striking Russian oil installations, with the US president saying such attacks were sending global diesel prices surging. Zelenskiy also said a plan involving a €90 billion EU loan had plugged a $27 billion hole in Ukraine's defence budget this year.
Sources:
- Reuters: Ukraine will hit Russian refineries in response to Moscow's 'new doctrine' of airstrikes, Zelenskiy says
- Economic Times: India Latest News Updates Today, October 3
