Ukraine has reportedly doubled down on attacks on Russian oil refining facilities since early 2026, with the latest attack targeting a refinery near Moscow. The incident was one of the largest attacks on Russian energy infrastructure since the war began.
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed the attacks were aimed at destabilizing Russian society. He urged authorities to take additional measures to mitigate the impact of the attacks on public infrastructure and the country’s energy sector.
The development comes as Russia is believed to be considering a larger summer offensive on four major cities in the Donbas region. If successful, the operation could potentially strengthen Moscow’s position in the conflict that has dragged on for more than three years.
At the same time, Putin reiterated that Russia is ready to resume peace talks with Ukraine. He referred to talks that took place in Istanbul in 2022 as the basis for any new negotiation efforts.
While fighting continues to escalate on the battlefield, both sides are still under pressure to find a diplomatic solution. However, continued attacks on strategic infrastructure are seen as likely to complicate efforts towards a ceasefire in the near future.
