By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Ukraine has temporarily suspended its campaign of long-range drone strikes against Russian oil refineries following weeks of pressure from President Donald Trump, according to a report published Thursday, Oct. 29, as Washington seeks to manage rising energy prices and preserve diplomatic efforts to end the war.
The unofficial suspension began early last week and is expected to remain in place until after the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections, although it could extend further into November, people familiar with Ukrainian military operations told The Wall Street Journal.
Two Ukrainian military officials said long-range strike units received instructions in mid-October to suspend attacks on Russian refineries after completing missions already underway. The decision followed mounting pressure from Washington and increasing concerns within Kyiv about the future of American assistance.
Ukraine has not formally announced a suspension of refinery attacks, and military commanders reportedly retain the authority to resume operations if circumstances warrant.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara advised President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that temporarily halting refinery strikes would be prudent because of the deteriorating diplomatic relationship with Washington, according to a person familiar with the discussions. Zelenskyy reportedly agreed with the recommendation while maintaining that the military could resume attacks if necessary.
The decision followed a difficult period in U.S.-Ukrainian relations during which Trump publicly called for Zelenskyy’s removal and Elon Musk’s SpaceX restricted Ukraine’s access to its Starlink satellite communications service.
American officials also pressed Kyiv directly to suspend attacks on Russia’s petroleum infrastructure. During an Oct. 20 meeting with Zelenskyy in Oslo, U.S. envoy Jared Kushner reiterated Trump’s demand that Ukraine stop targeting Russian refineries.
Kushner participated remotely because of an illness, according to two American officials familiar with the meeting. One described the exchange as “very tough.”
Kushner reportedly argued that Ukrainian restraint would support the diplomatic work being undertaken by himself and fellow U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who have been involved in negotiations with Moscow. He proposed a 30-day suspension of refinery attacks as a demonstration of cooperation with Washington’s peace efforts.
The following day, Trump contacted Musk and asked him to restore Ukraine’s Starlink service. American officials maintained that the satellite restrictions and refinery negotiations were unrelated.
European officials, however, expressed concern about the combined effects of the communications disruption and escalating disagreements between Trump and Zelenskyy. Some of Ukraine’s European allies privately urged Kyiv to avoid further confrontation with Washington before the American midterm elections.
The refinery campaign has been a central component of Ukraine’s strategy to weaken Russia’s war economy. Ukrainian drones have repeatedly targeted petroleum processing facilities, storage terminals and other energy infrastructure, disrupting fuel production and imposing additional economic costs on Moscow.
Trump has criticized the attacks amid rising global fuel prices, arguing that disruptions to Russian petroleum production contribute to higher energy costs. His administration has sought to stabilize markets while pursuing negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.
Ukraine has defended its strikes as a military response to Russia’s continued attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy facilities. Russian forces have repeatedly targeted electricity generation, transmission infrastructure and other civilian facilities, creating shortages and extensive damage ahead of winter.
Despite the reported Ukrainian suspension, Moscow has continued launching missile and drone attacks against Ukraine, including strikes on civilian areas and energy infrastructure.
The reported halt also comes as Washington pursues renewed diplomatic contacts with Russia. Trump has sought to pressure both sides toward a negotiated settlement while balancing concerns about energy supplies and the economic consequences of the continuing war.
The Reuters news agency reported Friday that it could not independently verify the suspension described by The Wall Street Journal. The report also noted that Trump had previously announced arrangements to purchase Russian diesel and ease certain sanctions after tensions escalated over Ukraine’s refinery campaign.
Further complicating the situation, Russian authorities reported a drone attack on the Novokuibyshevsk refinery in the Samara region Friday, Oct. 30, and Ukrainian defense manufacturer Fire Point subsequently confirmed Ukrainian involvement, according to The New Voice of Ukraine.
The reported attack raises questions about whether the informal suspension remains in effect. Zelenskyy had previously stated that Ukrainian forces had no standing order prohibiting refinery strikes, even as commanders exercised greater caution.
The latest developments demonstrate the limits of an arrangement that was never publicly announced as a formal ceasefire or comprehensive prohibition on attacks.
Although the original understanding reportedly contemplated a pause through the U.S. congressional elections, Ukraine’s military retains operational discretion, and the Oct. 30 refinery strike indicates that attacks against Russian petroleum facilities may already have resumed.
The dispute remains closely connected to Washington’s broader diplomatic relationship with Kyiv, the economic effects of the war and the approaching American elections, where energy prices and the administration’s handling of the conflict remain significant political issues.
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