Ukraine has resumed long-range drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure after a brief, unannounced pause tied to U.S. political pressure, hitting the Novokujbyševsk refinery in the Samara region and leaving multiple independent fires across the facility.
Novokujbyševsk Refinery Struck by Drones
Ukrainian long-range drones struck the Novokujbyševsk oil refinery in the Samara region, according to reports from the Russian service of the BBC and the Ukrainian drone manufacturer Fire Point. Local residents reported explosions and air defense activity in the area, while the Telegram channel Astra noted that the facility produces up to 30 petroleum products, including jet fuel for Russian military forces. The channel Exilenova+ published footage showing at least eleven separate fires burning within the refinery complex following the attack.
There are at least 11 separate fires at the Novokuybyshevsk Oil Refinery.Our pleas have been heard, and now they’ve started to take out the entire refinery in a single strike, rather than just one unit. pic.twitter.com/8WgmDCfUi7
Alexander Novak confirmed to RIA Novosti that Ukraine resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries, stating that three refineries and a gas-chemical complex were targeted, with one facility sustaining minor damage. The Ukrainian General Staff did not issue a formal statement regarding the strike on the Samara facility, though President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Ukrainian drone units are actively targeting other sites inside Russia.
The Wall Street Journal Reports Temporary Pause Before Congressional Elections
The resumption of strikes follows a brief suspension that began early last week. According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing sources familiar with military operations, the Ukrainian military paused aerial strikes on Russian refineries due to intense pressure from U.S. Donald Trump. That unofficial pause was structured to last at least until the U.S. congressional elections on November 3, with the possibility of extending further.
During the height of the diplomatic friction in mid-October, U.S. officials pressed for a halt to protect global fuel prices. Trump has publicly blamed Kyiv for rising fuel costs at American pumps, although energy experts attribute the significant price surge primarily to the ongoing conflict in Iran initiated by the U.S. and Israel. European allies also advised Zelenskyy to weigh the sensitivity of U.S. energy prices ahead of the congressional midterms.
Kremlin Reaction and Upcoming Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Reuters that the renewed Ukrainian refinery strikes do not threaten upcoming trilateral peace negotiations. When asked by Russia’s state agency TASS whether the attacks jeopardize the diplomatic framework, Peskov answered negatively. Yuri Ushakov, an adviser to the Russian president, told the Vesti television network that by resuming the strikes, Ukraine is openly ignoring calls and warnings from Donald Trump.
The U.S.-mediated peace talks between Ukraine and Russia are scheduled to continue in November in Abu Dhabi, marking the first such high-level contact since February. Previous rounds of talks failed to yield a breakthrough in key questions. Meanwhile, Russia continues its daily missile and drone campaigns against Ukraine’s own power grid and urban centers ahead of the winter heating season.
Ukraine Halts Refinery Strikes Following Pressure from Trump
Why did Ukraine pause its refinery strikes in October?
According to The Wall Street Journal, the Ukrainian military temporarily halted drone operations against Russian oil facilities following weeks of pressure from U.S. Donald Trump and a temporary slowdown of SpaceX’s Starshield military satellite connections in mid-October.
What specific facility was hit in the latest Samara region attack?
Ukrainian drones targeted the Novokujbyševsk oil refinery in the Samara region, which produces aviation fuel and dozens of other petroleum products for the Russian military, resulting in at least eleven separate fires documented by local channels.
When are the next peace negotiations scheduled to take place?
Trilateral peace talks mediated by the United States are scheduled to resume in Abu Dhabi in November, marking the first direct diplomatic engagement between the parties since February.
Keep reading