Zelenskiy says Ukraine will hit Russian refineries over 'new doctrine' of airstrikes

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Reuters in an interview in Kyiv that Ukraine will double down on attacking Russian oil refineries, in response to what he called a “new doctrine” of Russian airstrikes designed to force people to abandon Kyiv and other cities.

Zelenskiy said Ukrainian intelligence had obtained documents showing Vladimir Putin had issued the “new doctrine” ordering attacks on a broader range of civilian targets ahead of winter — infrastructure, logistics, roads, schools and hospitals — to pressure people to leave the capital and different cities. He insisted Ukraine will not target civilians in Russia.

The Kremlin was not available to comment on Saturday, Reuters reported. The Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow would continue systematic strikes, which it framed as retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russia in recent months, in a statement urging foreign nationals to leave Kyiv. Both sides deny deliberately targeting civilians.

The policy shift comes after US President Donald Trump last month urged Ukraine to refrain from hitting Russian oil installations, saying that was sending global diesel prices surging, Reuters reported.

Zelenskiy also said an ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive, codenamed “Vivaldi”, has recaptured around 140 sq km (54 sq miles) of the eastern Donbas region. He said Putin’s policy shift was driven by a desire to appear strong at a time when his military was losing ground in a key frontline region and sustaining higher casualties.