Zelenskyy: Ukraine will hit Russian refineries over Putin’s ‘new doctrine’ of city strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Reuters on Saturday, 3 October, that Ukraine would double down on strikes against Russian oil refineries in response to what he described as a new Russian airstrike doctrine aimed at forcing residents to abandon Kyiv and other cities.

Documents and stated goal

Zelenskyy said Ukrainian intelligence had obtained documents showing Russian leader Vladimir Putin had issued a “new doctrine” permitting attacks on a much broader range of civilian targets ahead of winter — infrastructure, logistics, roads, schools and hospitals — “to pressure people to leave the capital, leave different cities.” He linked the shift to Putin’s desire to appear strong while Russia was losing ground and taking higher casualties on a key front, Reuters reported. The Kremlin was not available to comment on Saturday.

Response limits and Russian statement

“We have to respond… on their energy. First of all, oil refiners etc: what gives money to them for this war,” Zelenskyy said in English. “But we will not respond, of course, just like them, on any civilian objects.” Both sides deny deliberately targeting civilians. In a separate statement urging foreigners to leave Kyiv, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Moscow would continue systematic strikes it called retaliatory for Ukrainian attacks on Russia, Reuters noted.

Front and talks context

Zelenskyy said the “Vivaldi” counteroffensive had recaptured around 140 sq km (54 sq miles) in eastern Donbas and was ongoing. He said he had received no indication Russia was interested in peace talks or an energy-infrastructure ceasefire, and urged the US not to “normalize” ties with Moscow without an end to hostilities.