Ukraine to step up strikes on Russian refineries

On Oct. 3, 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine will "double down" on attacking Russian oil refineries. He linked this plan directly to Moscow’s new airstrike approach and framed refineries as part of Russia’s energy sector that helps finance the war effort.

Zelenskiy said these facilities would be primary targets in Ukraine’s response. He described the move as part of a broader effort to counter Russian pressure as winter approaches.

Zelenskiy said Ukrainian intelligence had obtained documents showing that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had issued a "new doctrine" for airstrikes. He said this doctrine authorises a broader range of targets ahead of winter.

The alleged list of potential targets includes civilian infrastructure, logistics, roads, schools and hospitals. Zelenskiy characterised this as an effort to increase pressure on populations and cities.

Zelenskiy stated that Ukraine would not respond by targeting civilians. Instead, he said Kyiv would focus on energy infrastructure within Russia, with oil refineries highlighted as key objectives.

He presented this strategy as a way to strike what he described as core assets that support Russia’s war effort while avoiding direct attacks on civilian populations.

Zelenskiy said Ukraine has relied heavily on fighter aircraft, including F-16s and MiGs, to intercept Russian jet-powered Shahed drones. He said these aircraft have been shooting down about 60% of such drones.

However, he warned that stocks of 20 mm ammunition for these planes are running low. To address this, he said Kyiv expects to receive an initial shipment of small, inexpensive air-defence missiles capable of countering the new Shaheds in the second half of October.

Zelenskiy said Ukraine had recently used its domestically developed FP-7 tactical ballistic missile in combat. He did not provide further operational details but presented it as part of Ukraine’s evolving strike capabilities.

He added that he had contacted the FP-7’s manufacturer, FirePoint, to press for completion of a longer-range FP-9 model. This push suggests an effort to expand the range and flexibility of Ukraine’s missile arsenal alongside its planned focus on Russian energy targets.