Ukrainian military operation: 'Burn down all Russian oil refineries!'

Following the 'diesel agreement' reached between Trump and Putin on October 9, Trump claimed to have facilitated a 'week of energy ceasefire' between Russia and Ukraine. The U.S. Treasury Department temporarily eased certain sanctions on Russian diesel (licenses valid until April 2027) to suppress diesel prices. Yet during this period, Russia not only failed to halt its attacks—but intensified them—launching at least 76 targeted strikes against Ukrainian power substations and natural gas facilities. On the night of the 17th, Russian forces launched 180 drones and ballistic missiles at Ukraine, causing widespread blackouts across Kyiv, Odesa, and other cities. Simultaneously with the announcement of the energy agreement, a Ukrainian delegation was holding talks in Miami with U.S. special envoys Jared Kushner and John W. “Jack” Whitaker. The Ukrainian delegation was led by Andriy Yermak, Head of the Presidential Office, and included ministers such as Oleksandr Kamyshin (Umerov) and Davyd Arakhamia. During negotiations, the U.S. side pressured Ukraine to cease strikes against Russian oil refineries, arguing such actions would drive up global oil prices. Upon learning the details of the U.S.–Russia diesel agreement and Washington’s demands, the Ukrainian delegation reacted strongly—and abruptly ended its trip and departed for home. According to the Financial Times, a senior Ukrainian official, upon hearing of the agreement, angrily declared: 'We will burn down all Russian oil refineries.' 'We’re going to fucking burn down every single Russian refinery and port—none shall be spared!' Though phrased differently, it is virtually certain that the Ukrainian delegation uttered this statement—and highly likely that Yermak himself said it. This remark dovetails with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent statements in London and Brussels. Since the outbreak of full-scale war, Ukraine has rarely projected an image of overt belligerence or rhetorical bravado; its deeds have consistently outshone its words. This time is no exception. Given Russia’s apparent intent—before winter—to plunge Ukraine into total darkness, Zelenskyy lifted, on October 14, Ukraine’s self-imposed restriction against striking Russian oil refineries, fully resuming attacks on Russian refineries and critical infrastructure inside Russia. Ukrainian military operations swiftly followed. Thus, from the night of October 17 through the early hours of October 18, Russia received what could only be described as a 'blessing' from Ukrainian forces: a massive drone assault exceeding one thousand units. This Ukrainian strike directly targeted Russia’s core facilities and strategic depth—focusing on petroleum export infrastructure, digital infrastructure, and major logistics hubs—especially Saint Petersburg. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, its air defenses shot down 1,015 fixed-wing drones across 16 Russian federal subjects and over the Black Sea. The Ukrainian military’s top priority was Leningrad Oblast’s Saint Petersburg—the second-largest city in Russia. The Saint Petersburg Oil Terminal is one of Russia’s largest petroleum export and storage ports, handling approximately 12.5 million tons annually—and serves as a key Baltic Sea export hub. The terminal was struck precisely by Ukrainian FP-1 attack drones, triggering widespread fires and billowing black smoke. The nearby Luch oil depot was likewise hit and ignited. Leningrad Oblast Governor Alexander Drozdenko reported that drone debris damaged local power lines, leaving over 20,000 residents without electricity under emergency conditions. VKontakte (VK)—Russia’s largest social media platform, often dubbed the 'Russian Facebook'—suffered severe damage to its Saint Petersburg data center. Subsequently, users across Russia reported widespread service outages and network failures—raising questions about whether experts will once again attribute such disruptions solely to software or technical glitches.

Analysis of the latest battlefield developments in the Russia–Ukraine war as of 5:00 a.m. on November 1, 2026 (text version)!

1. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated yesterday that Ukraine had attacked multiple Russian oil refineries and a natural gas facility on the same day. On the same day, Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov noted that Ukraine had once again ignored U.S. President Donald Trump’s call to halt attacks on Russian refineries—a demand Trump reiterated firmly, yet Ukraine refused to comply. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia continues its assaults on Ukraine’s power generation facilities, electrical grids, and energy interconnection infrastructure. He added that Russia has taken no de-escalatory steps in the energy domain, and Ukraine will continue responding accordingly. On the 15th of this month, Zelenskyy revealed that Ukraine had temporarily suspended strikes on Russian refineries at Washington’s request—but having observed Russia’s continued attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Ukraine has now rescinded that self-imposed restriction. 2. According to The Guardian, October 2026 marked the deadliest month for Russian forces since the start of the Russia–Ukraine war. As of the day before yesterday, cumulative Russian losses for the month stood at 49,040 personnel; adding today’s casualties pushes the monthly toll beyond 50,000. Additionally, this morning, a Russian jet-powered drone struck the platform at Dnipro Railway Station, killing 13 civilians waiting for trains and injuring 10 others. European leaders—including EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Czech President Petr Pavel, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, and French President Emmanuel Macron—condemned the attack on innocent civilians. 3. According to the Kyiv Post, Ukrainian missile manufacturer Fire Point announced that 90% of components used in its drones are domestically sourced. The company explained that it opted for technological independence three and a half years ago to reduce reliance on external suppliers and ensure stable, predictable production. This news further bolsters confidence in Ukraine’s defense industry—and in the postwar development of its industrial base. 4. According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), Ukrainian forces have resumed strategic bombing of Russian oil refineries. The Novokuybyshevsk Refinery in Samara Oblast—a facility well known to observers—was engulfed in flames following last night’s drone strike. At least six separate fires broke out across the plant; some reports cite as many as eleven. Footage from the site is startling. The refinery processes roughly 8.8 million tons of crude oil annually, producing aviation fuel, gasoline, and diesel—and forms a vital node in Russia’s fuel supply and military logistics network. 5. According to Open Source Intelligence Defenders, over the past 36 hours, the Novokuybyshevsk area in Samara Oblast endured an intense, concentrated drone barrage. Despite local air raid alerts, Ukrainian drones successfully penetrated Russian air defenses and struck the large refinery directly. Fires erupted simultaneously across multiple sections of the facility, accompanied by continuous explosions audible even in the city’s distant suburbs. Nearby residents captured footage from their homes and vehicles showing fireballs and thick smoke rising from the refinery—forming mushroom-like clouds once again over the area. Preliminary assessments indicate at least eleven distinct fire points. With an annual processing capacity approaching nine million tons, the Novokuybyshevsk Refinery is not Russia’s largest—but it supplies specialized aviation fuel critical to the Russian military. 6. According to Forbes, the U.S. State Department announced today that it has approved the sale of 500 PAC-3 'Patriot' missiles to Ukraine, with an estimated total value of $2.1 billion.

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Zelenskiy says Ukraine is continuing attacks on Russia's oil refining sector

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