Zelenskyy: Ukraine to step up strikes on Russian oil refineries over Moscow's winter strategy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Kyiv will intensify attacks on Russian oil refineries in response to a new Kremlin doctrine targeting civilian infrastructure, while exit polls in Latvia's election point to a lead for pro-European parties.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Reuters that Kyiv plans to increase strikes on Russian oil refineries, while ruling out attacks on civilian targets. He said Ukrainian intelligence has obtained documents showing that Russian leader Vladimir Putin has approved a new military doctrine ahead of winter, broadening the range of civilian targets to include infrastructure, roads, schools and hospitals. According to Zelenskyy, the goal is to pressure residents into leaving Kyiv and other cities. He said Ukraine's response would focus on oil refineries that help finance Russia's war effort, while explicitly excluding civilian objects from retaliation.
On Saturday, Russian strikes across Ukraine killed at least six people and damaged Kyiv's Northern Bridge, disrupting traffic in the capital for a third consecutive day. Earlier Russian attacks have hit apartment buildings, supermarket warehouses, petrol stations and data centres.
Frontline and weapons
Zelenskyy said Ukraine's counteroffensive operation, codenamed Vivaldi, has recaptured roughly 140 sq km in the Donbas region, complicating Putin's goal of fully controlling the area before any peace deal. He acknowledged a shortage of ammunition for Ukraine's F-16 and MiG fighters, which shoot down about 60% of Russian jet-powered drones, and said Ukraine is working to boost electronic jamming capabilities. A first shipment of small, inexpensive air defence missiles designed to counter the newer jet-powered Shahed drones is expected in the second half of October. Ukraine has also begun deploying its domestically produced FP-7 ballistic missile, with a range of about 250km, and hopes to field a longer-range FP-9 model by autumn.
Latvia's election
Exit polls released Saturday night from Latvia's parliamentary election showed Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs's centrist, pro-Ukraine United List party leading with 36.5% of votes with 72% counted, followed by the populist Latvia First party on 13%. Kulbergs said his party would not work with pro-Russian parties, arguing that economic ties with Russia weaken the country. He has pledged to expand anti-drone defences and keep defence spending at 5% of GDP, among the highest levels in Nato.
