Russia accuses Ukraine of attacking oil refinery after Zelensky says strikes to resume
Source: BBC World ↗ (cross-verified by 3 outlets — full list below)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday that the three‑day pause on striking Russian energy sites was over, after Russia continued to hit Ukraine’s power infrastructure. He told the Financial Times that Kyiv had limited attacks for three days while Moscow persisted with strikes, and that “we’re done.” In the same interview Zelensky accused the United States of withdrawing intelligence‑sharing on Russian attacks and of restricting Starlink satellite services used by Ukraine’s military, alleging these moves were intended to pressure Kyiv into ending its own strikes. The Kremlin responded by claiming Ukrainian forces attempted a “large‑scale attack” on the Ryazan oil refinery south of Moscow, saying four missiles and dozens of drones were intercepted but debris sparked a fire at the site.
The dispute over intelligence and communications comes amid a broader diplomatic clash over a U.S.‑proposed “energy ceasefire” announced by President Donald Trump, which Zelensky said he would accept only if Russia also complied. Zelensky maintains that the United States warned Kyiv that continued strikes would lead to a halt in early‑warning alerts and Starlink connectivity, both crucial for Ukraine’s air‑defence and drone operations. While a technical glitch was initially suggested for the Starlink slowdown, Elon Musk attributed it to the Trump administration, a claim Trump denied. Ukrainian Ministry of Defence sources confirmed that Starshield’s “operation while on the move” had been restored, but investigations into the cause of the restrictions were ongoing, with frontline drone operators describing any deliberate limitation as a “betrayal.”
The fallout extends to Western allies, as Zelensky met British Prime Minister Andy Burnham in London, who pledged faster delivery of lightweight multirole missiles, and European leaders prepared to discuss the issue at a Brussels summit. Zelensky warned he would only pause strikes on Russian oil infrastructure if the United States supplied more Patriot air‑defence systems, noting a shortfall of such weapons since the Iran war depleted stockpiles. He also criticised a recent U.S.–Russia diesel deal, calling it an investment in Russia’s war effort, and suggested future negotiations might focus on gas. The ongoing tension over intelligence sharing, satellite access, and energy strikes underscores the fragile state of U.S.–Ukrainian cooperation as the conflict rages.
⚡ Effects Interpreter
🌍World Economylow impact
What this means for you
- ▶Cross-border money flows can gradually change direction after events like this.
- ▶Confidence among international firms may wobble until the picture clears.
🏙️Local Economylow impact
What this means for you
- ▶Neighbourhood traders often adjust quietly rather than all at once.
- ▶The knock-on for local trade is usually gradual rather than sudden.
🏦Rates & Banksmedium impact
What this means for you
- ▶Central banks watch moments like this closely, so keep an eye on savings rates.
- ▶Rate-setters usually take their time digesting this kind of news.
❤️Healthmedium impact
What this means for you
- ▶Keeping a normal routine typically helps steady the nerves during unsettling news.
- ▶Local wellbeing services are there precisely for moments when news feels overwhelming.
💷Wealthmedium impact
What this means for you
- ▶Portfolios built for the long haul rarely need a rethink over one headline.
- ▶Any hit to your money is more likely a ripple than a wave.
🏠Housinglow impact
What this means for you
- ▶Housing supply and demand rarely turn on a single piece of news.
- ▶Buyers and renters may notice only a mild drift, if anything at all.
🌍 Effects for your country
The U.S.'s central bank rate currently stands at 3.75%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The U.S.'s economy is growing at 2.3% with inflation at 3.2%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the U.S.'s own central bank rate closely. With the U.S.'s unemployment at 4.4%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in the U.S. depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
The UK's central bank rate currently stands at 3.75%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The UK's economy is growing at 0.8% with inflation at 3.2%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the UK's own central bank rate closely. With the UK's unemployment at 5.6%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in the UK depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
France's central bank rate currently stands at 2%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. France's economy is growing at 0.9% with inflation at 1.8%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track France's own central bank rate closely. With France's unemployment at 7.9%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is already under strain. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in France depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
Romania's central bank rate currently stands at 6.5%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. Romania's economy is growing at 0.7% with inflation at 7.8%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track Romania's own central bank rate closely. With Romania's unemployment at 6%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in Romania depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
The UAE's central bank rate currently stands at 3.65%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The UAE's economy is growing at 3.1% with inflation at 2.5%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the UAE's own central bank rate closely. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in the UAE depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.