Zelenskyy Says Ukraine Will Increase Strikes on Russian Oil Refineries
Zelenskyy Announces Retaliatory Strikes on Russian Refineries
Ukraine will double down on attacking Russian oil refineries in response to a new policy of airstrikes by Moscow designed to force people to abandon Kyiv and other cities, but will not target civilians, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. [1] President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine will increase its strikes on Russian oil refineries in response to Moscow's new campaign of airstrikes aimed at forcing people to flee Kyiv and other cities. [2] Zelenskyy said Ukraine will react to Moscow's change of tactics, but it will not respond in kind by indiscriminately striking civilian infrastructure. [2] "We have to respond in any way [we can]. With their attacks on our energy, we have to respond on their energy. First of all, oil refiners: what gives money to them for this war. But we will not respond, of course, just like them, on any civilian objects." [2]
Intelligence Documents Reveal Putin's New Attack Doctrine
Zelenskyy also noted that Ukrainian intelligence has obtained documents indicating that Russian leader Vladimir Putin has issued a "new doctrine" of military attacks on a much broader range of civilian targets ahead of this winter. [2] "We saw documents and we know that they allow them to attack infrastructure ... logistics ... roads, schools, hospitals, to pressure people to leave the capital, leave different cities. This is the goal of the operation." [2]
Motivation Tied to Russian Setbacks in Donbas
According to Zelenskyy, the reason for the policy shift was Putin's desire to appear strong at a time when his troops are losing ground in Donbas and suffering heavy casualties. [2]
Latest Russian Strikes Hit Kyiv's Northern Bridge
Russia struck Kyiv’s Northern Bridge on Saturday, damaging its road surface and trolleybus power lines as attacks on the Ukrainian capital’s transport network continued for a third day. [5] Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two people were injured and traffic from the city’s eastern bank to the western side was halted after the strike. [5] Emergency crews went to the bridge, one of the main crossings over the Dnipro River. [5] Russia strikes another major bridge in Kyiv as attacks on Ukrainian capital escalate. [4]
Drone Crash Kills Civilian in Kirovohrad Oblast
A man has been killed and a woman injured as a result of a UAV crash-landing on a road in the town of Haivoron in Kirovohrad Oblast on Saturday. [3] "A man has been killed as a result of a UAV crashing on a road in the town of Haivoron during an air raid. A woman was also injured. She has been taken to hospital." [3] Dry grass caught fire at the site where the drone debris fell. The fire has been contained. [3]
What to watch next: Further Ukrainian responses to the documented Russian doctrine of expanded strikes on infrastructure and energy targets.
