New Delhi. Tension has once again increased over targeting of energy installations in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Clouds of crisis are now looming over the alleged energy ceasefire between the two countries brokered by US President Donald Trump. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia continued to target Ukraine's energy infrastructure despite US requests to limit attacks on Russian energy installations. In such a situation, Ukraine is no longer ready to exercise unilateral restraint. This development has again increased the risk of attacks on energy targets in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Zelensky criticized the US-brokered agreement, calling it a weak arrangement. He says that it is necessary to increase pressure on Russia to end the war. At the same time, Russia has accused Ukraine of trying to target its Ryazan oil refinery. Amid claims from both sides, questions are being raised over the security of energy installations and efforts to prevent the war from spreading further.
Claims to limit attacks to three days on American request
In an interview with the British newspaper Financial Times, Zelensky said that at the request of the US, Ukraine limited attacks on Russian energy facilities for three days. Despite this, complaints continued to surface about Russia targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
According to Zelensky, in such a situation Ukraine cannot be expected to continue unilateral restraint. He indicated that the option of targeting Russian energy targets could be reconsidered.
The Ukrainian president also claimed that US officials had warned that the US could stop sharing intelligence if Ukraine did not stop attacks on Russian oil refineries. However, US President Donald Trump has denied stopping intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
Russia accused of attempting to attack Ryazan refinery
Russia's Defense Ministry has accused Ukraine of attempting to launch a major attack on the Ryazan oil refinery, southeast of Moscow. According to the Russian side, during this period it was claimed to have intercepted four missiles and dozens of drones. The ministry said that a fire broke out in the refinery complex due to falling debris.
Oil refineries, fuel storages and other energy supply facilities have become strategically important targets during the war between Russia and Ukraine. Attacks on such installations could affect fuel production, military logistics, and energy supplies.
However, information related to the events and losses in Ryazan requires independent verification of the claims of both sides.
'Pressure will have to be increased on Russia to end the war'
Zelensky also took to social media to stress the need to increase pressure on Russia to end the war. He said that all the countries of Europe want the war to end soon, but for this concrete and strong steps will have to be taken. According to him, Ukraine needs additional defense weapons and it is necessary to increase cooperation to save people's lives.
Earlier, in a conversation with journalist Piers Morgan, Zelensky had also expressed his displeasure over the energy-related agreement between Trump and Putin. He claimed that America's initiative to buy diesel from Russia and the arrangement on energy conflict have harmed Ukraine's interests.
Ukraine's concern is that if Russia is not effectively forced to stop attacks on energy installations, the war could lead to continued damage to its energy supplies and infrastructure.
Controversy also regarding Starlink and Starshield services
The issue of satellite communication services has also come to the fore in this entire incident. The report of American media organization Axios quoted a Ukrainian official as saying that Ukraine targeted a Russian refinery during the night.
The report also mentions the restoration of Starlink and StarShield services linked to the US government. According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, the imposition of a speed limit of 160 kilometers per hour on Starlink may cause difficulties in some military operations.
Ukrainian officials claim that technical sanctions affected the operation of reconnaissance and interdiction drones, long-range strikes, and intelligence gathering capabilities. He also said that Ukraine did not receive prior warning of the Russian ballistic missile attack.
US officials attributed the disruption to a technical glitch, while some Ukrainian officials feared it may have been related to pressure from Washington. The actual relationship between these claims, the technical problems and the political decisions remains to be clear.
Why are questions being raised on Trump's mediation?
US President Donald Trump had announced an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to stop attacks on energy installations. Its purpose was to prevent energy infrastructure from becoming a target of war and to take steps towards reducing tensions.
However, Zelensky later said that he was not fully aware of the agreement. This raised questions about American mediation and Ukraine's consent. The Ukrainian president also noted tensions in relations with Trump and said the responsibility to improve relations does not lie solely with Ukraine.
He also criticized Trump's alleged inclination towards Russian President Vladimir Putin. In this way, the initiative to stop attacks on energy installations is not just a military issue, but has also become a part of diplomatic differences between the US, Russia and Ukraine.
What will happen next?
The future of the arrangement between Russia and Ukraine to prevent attacks on energy facilities will depend on whether both sides are willing to actually stop attacks and how any agreement is monitored. If one side claims restraint and the other accuses the other of continuing the attacks, such an arrangement may be difficult to sustain in the long run.
For now, Zelensky's statements indicate that Ukraine is reconsidering its policy of limiting attacks on Russian energy targets. On the other hand, Russia has also accused Ukraine of targeting its refinery.
Overall, the initiative to prevent attacks on energy installations now faces a serious challenge. However, before considering it as a formally concluded agreement, it is important to be clear as to what were its terms between the two countries and whether any party has officially announced its withdrawal from it.