Zelensky Says Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Refineries in Response to Winter Air Attack Plans
4▲0 ▼0Impact / 5
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed that Ukraine will step up its strikes on Russian oil refineries in response to Russia's preparations to intensify air attacks during the winter, aiming to pressure civilians to leave Kyiv and other cities, while stressing that Ukraine will not attack civilians. Zelensky said Ukrainian intelligence had obtained documents indicating that Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a new doctrine for military strikes, which paves the way for Russian forces to attack civilian targets on a wider scale before winter sets in. The documents state that the military is permitted to strike infrastructure, logistics systems, roads, schools and hospitals. The Ukrainian leader said the policy shift stems from Putin's desire to maintain Russia's image of strength at a time when its forces are losing ground on key front lines and casualties are mounting. Earlier, Russia's foreign ministry issued a statement urging foreigners and diplomatic officials to leave Kyiv, saying Russia would continue to strike various targets systematically in retaliation for Ukraine's attacks on Russia over the past several months.