Ukraine’s military has temporarily halted strikes against Russian oil refineries amid growing diplomatic tensions with the United States and pressure from President Donald Trump, according to people familiar with the operations.
The unofficial pause began in mid-October and is expected to continue until after the US midterm elections, potentially extending into November. Ukrainian military officials reportedly decided to hold back the attacks amid uncertainty over continued American support.
The development follows Trump’s criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and restrictions imposed by SpaceX on Ukraine’s use of its Starlink satellite internet service.
Zelensky has indicated that Ukraine could limit attacks on Russian energy infrastructure in exchange for greater protection of its own facilities, which have faced repeated Russian missile and drone strikes.
However, he clarified that no formal order prohibiting refinery strikes had been issued and that Ukrainian forces remained free to attack targets in Russia.
Ukraine’s dependence on US intelligence-sharing, Starlink connectivity and Patriot missile systems has increased its vulnerability to Washington’s political and military decisions.
