Ukraine suspends strikes on Russian refineries
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Daily Maverick
Ukraine suspended its long-range strikes on Russian refineries in October, according to the Wall Street Journal, which cites officials briefed on the decision. The pause could last until after the US midterm elections, or even until the end of November, while Reuters says it has been unable to verify the report.
The Ukrainian military has suspended its campaign of long-range strikes against Russian refineries, a pause that could continue until after the US midterm elections and into the second half of November. Units responsible for the operations were informed in mid-October that missions already under way would be completed before the campaign was halted, the Wall Street Journal reports, as cited by the Daily Maverick.
The pause comes as Russia steps up attacks on Ukrainian energy and civilian infrastructure and Washington renews efforts to get peace talks under way. Reuters was unable to immediately verify the Wall Street Journal’s report.
US President Donald Trump has recently become more critical of Volodymyr Zelensky, particularly over Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, as diesel prices reach record levels. Kyiv defends the long-range drone campaign as its only viable response to Russian bombardments. Trump announced a deal to buy diesel from Moscow and lifted sanctions against Russia that had been authorised by a law he signed in September.
The reported suspension follows several deadly Russian attacks in Ukraine, including strikes that killed at least 20 people and an attack on Dnipro railway station that killed 14 people on 29 October.
