KYIV — Ukraine struck Russia’s Novokuibyshevsk oil refinery in Samara Oblast on October 30, contradicting reports that Kyiv had agreed to suspend attacks on Russian energy infrastructure following pressure from the Trump administration.
The Wall Street Journal reported on October 29 that Ukraine had informally paused refinery strikes until after the November 3 US midterm elections. However, Ukrainian officials told The Kyiv Independent that no halt had been ordered. US envoy Jared Kushner had reportedly proposed a 30-day pause, but Kyiv did not accept it.
US Intelligence Sharing Continues
Despite public criticism from Washington, a US official reportedly described the administration’s private response to Ukraine’s refinery strikes as a “shrug.” The CIA continues to share intelligence on Russian air defense locations, helping Ukrainian forces conduct long-range drone operations inside Russia.
The October 30 attack on the Rosneft-operated Novokuibyshevsk refinery, which has an annual processing capacity of 8.8 million metric tons, was carried out using Ukrainian-made FP-1 loitering munitions. Their manufacturer, Fire Point, acknowledged the operation on social media. Reports said one targeted unit was involved in diesel fuel hydrotreating.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed attacks on three oil refineries and one gas-chemical complex on October 30. He claimed the damage was minor and that air defense systems were active.
Russian Strikes on Ukrainian Cities
The refinery attacks followed deadly Russian strikes on Ukrainian civilian areas. A Russian jet-powered drone hit a railway station platform in Dnipro on October 29, killing 15 people and injuring at least 14. A cruise missile strike in Chernihiv killed two 15-year-old girls and wounded 13 others.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said every Russian strike on Ukrainian cities receives a “fully justified response,” without directly claiming responsibility for the refinery attack. He had earlier stated that Ukrainian forces were being careful but had received no order to pause operations.
Previous Energy Truce and Further Attacks
The only confirmed pause in Ukraine’s refinery campaign followed US President Donald Trump’s October 11 announcement of an “energy truce.” Ukraine halted attacks for approximately 72 hours. Russia subsequently struck Kharkiv’s CHP-5 thermal power plant with a cruise missile. Neither Kyiv nor Moscow had been consulted before the announcement.
Ukrainian drones later targeted refineries in Ufa and Kstovo. The Lukoil-operated Kstovo refinery, with an annual processing capacity of approximately 17 million metric tons, was hit overnight into November 1.
According to analyses cited in the reports, the three refineries attacked since late October account for roughly 10% of Russia’s refining capacity and more than 10% of its diesel production.
Ukrainian officials have indicated that attacks on Russian oil infrastructure will continue, although Kyiv may avoid publicly claiming responsibility for every operation to reduce friction with the Trump administration. Ukraine’s campaign has also contributed to lower Russian refining output and domestic fuel shortages in recent months.
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