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Ryazan refinery burns as Ukraine ends its pause in energy strikes

A fire broke out at Russia’s Ryazan refinery after a Ukrainian attack, according to Russian officials, as Kyiv announced the end of its pause in strikes on Russian energy facilities. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the pause had brought no reciprocal halt and offered another suspension if Washington supplied Patriot interceptors.

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Dark smoke rises behind refinery towers and pipes, with a low wall and autumn trees in the foreground.

Fire follows attack on Ryazan refinery

A fire broke out at an oil refinery in Ryazan, a city in western Russia, after a Ukrainian attack on Thursday. Russia’s Defence Ministry attributed the fire to falling drone debris. Regional Governor Pavel Malkov also reported a fire at the refinery following a drone attack. These descriptions of how the blaze began come from Russian officials.[1], [2]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv would resume attacks on Russian oil refineries. He told the Financial Times that Ukraine had paused strikes on energy facilities for several days, while Russia continued attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure.[1]

Washington had sought a pause in refinery attacks

US President Donald Trump announced an energy ceasefire on Sunday. Both sides had not publicly confirmed that arrangement. Washington had pressed Kyiv to suspend refinery attacks, arguing that a pause would help lower rising fuel prices. Zelenskyy’s announcement ends the suspension Ukraine says it observed after the US initiative.[1]

Zelenskyy links another pause to Patriot deliveries

Zelenskyy said he would be prepared to pause attacks on Russian energy facilities again if the United States supplied crucial Patriot interceptors, missiles used for air defence. Ukraine remains heavily dependent on Western military assistance, particularly from the United States and Germany. He was due to meet European leaders in Brussels on Thursday to seek tougher sanctions on Moscow and faster European Union support.[1]

References

  1. News sourceAl JazeeraRyazan refinery fire follows Ukraine's decision to resume energy strikes↩1↩2↩3↩4
  2. News sourceMeduzaRyazan governor reports refinery fire after drone attack↩
Russia-Ukraine warMiddle East balance of powerEnergy transition and climate

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