Zelensky vows to double strikes on Russian oil refineries

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed that he possesses intelligence documents proving the existence of a "new extermination doctrine" signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the Russian plan, Moscow officially authorizes strikes on a wide range of civilian targets ahead of winter, including roads, logistics infrastructure, schools and even hospitals.

"We have seen the documents and we know they authorize attacks on infrastructure to break morale and pressure people to leave the cities," Zelensky said. In response to Russian terror aimed at civilians, he said, Ukraine's answer will be focused: his country will dramatically expand its campaign of strikes inside Russian territory, targeting above all the refineries and central funding sources of the Kremlin's war machine.

"We must respond to their energy, but unlike them, we will not touch a single civilian target," the Ukrainian president emphasized.

Week of heavy strikes

The sharp statement comes in the midst of a difficult week in which Kyiv absorbed heavy barrages that hit electricity production facilities, communications networks and vital transportation arteries. At the same time, American mediation efforts and diplomatic initiatives to renew ceasefire talks in the energy sector collapsed in the face of stubborn refusal from Moscow.

Last weekend, a 14-year-old boy holding Israeli citizenship was killed when a drone struck a residential building in central Kyiv. The strike hit his family's home in the Pechersk district, and the victim's mother was wounded and evacuated for medical treatment.

The current Ukrainian move is expected to accelerate the campaign of drone and long-range missile strikes deep into Federation territory, which has already led in recent months to partial paralysis of Russian refining capacity and a wave of spikes in global fuel prices.

U.S. President Donald Trump recently claimed that the rise in fuel prices is mainly connected to the war between Russia and Ukraine, and demanded that Zelensky stop the attacks on Russia's oil facilities. "Let him hit other targets, but not diesel fuel, because it hurts the world," Trump said.

Zelensky responded with sarcasm: "Ukraine is ready to stop the attacks on Russia's oil facilities if the allies pressure Russia to stop the attacks on our energy facilities. It doesn't look like Russia is interested in stopping."