Moscow: After a two-week pause, Ukraine resumed its strikes on oil facilities in Russia on Friday. An oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region was hit earlier in the day, resulting in a blaze.
There was pressure on Ukraine from from the US administration of president Donald Trump to halt such operations, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Friday’s strike reportedly targeted the Novokuybyshevsk Oil Refinery. Ukraine reportedly used a drone to attack the facility. Photographs and video footage posted on social media showed columns of smoke rising into the sky over the refinery.
The strike took place barely a day after it was reported that Ukrainian military units conducting long-range strikes had informally suspended attacks on Russian refineries following pressure from the Trump administration.
The pause in strikes on Russian oil facilities was expected to continue until after the upcoming US midterm elections, according to the reports, which cited officials familiar with the operations.
The Novokuybyshevsk refinery is owned by Russian state-controlled oil company Rosneft, Ukrainian media reported.
The facility processes nearly 8.8 million metric tonnes of crude oil and produces aviation fuel, gasoline, diesel, lubricants and other petroleum products. It was previously targeted by Ukrainian drones, including in August 2026.
Ukraine has been carrying out a campaign targeting Russian oil refineries, fuel depots and other energy infrastructure in an effort to disrupt fuel supplies to Moscow’s military and reduce revenues used to finance Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
The strike follows Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s call for stronger European Union support to bolster his country’s air defences ahead of winter. Russia’s recent attacks had killed 19 people and injured 71 others, including 11 children, across the country.
Zelenskyy had thanked European Council president Antonio Costa for expressing solidarity with Ukraine following the attacks, which targeted a railway station in Dnipro and residential neighbourhoods in Chernihiv and Kremenchuk.
“Thank you for your condolences, António. Today, Russia carried out cynical strikes that claimed the lives of 19 people. Another 71 people were injured, including 11 children. Dozens of those wounded are now in hospitals. Our medical professionals are providing care and doing everything they can to save lives,” the Ukrainian president posted on X.
Accusing Moscow of undermining diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict and end the fighting, he stressed that continued international support was crucial for Ukraine’s defence.
“Once again, Russia is showing its true attitude towards de-escalation and the efforts by Ukraine, the United States, Europe, and our other partners around the world to end this war and stop the killings,” Zelenskyy said.
He emphasised the importance of assistance from the EU and its member states, particularly as Ukraine prepares for the winter months, when attacks on critical infrastructure could pose additional challenges.
Condemning the strikes by Moscow, Costa reiterated the European Union’s commitment to supporting Kyiv and increasing pressure on Moscow.
The European Council president described the strikes as “yet another cruel and devastating series of Russian strikes against civilians in Ukraine”, he posted on X.
“The EU will continue to increase the pressure on Russia and to support Ukraine until a just and lasting peace is achieved. We call on all our international partners to do the same,” Costa said, as reported by ANI.
Zelenskyy had highlighted the attacks as deliberate strikes against civilians and called for stronger international pressure on Russia, urging the European Union, the United States and the Group of Seven (G7) to strengthen sanctions against Moscow.
The strikes come just days after US first lady Melania Trump announced that a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine has taken effect beyond Oleshky two days ahead of schedule, with the move aimed at protecting civilians and facilitating the delivery of critical humanitarian aid to the conflict-affected area.