Ukraine to resume strikes on Russian refineries, shattering hopes of an 'energy ceasefire'

Key points

• Zelenskyy said Ukraine will resume strikes on Russian energy infrastructure after Russia failed to honor an energy ceasefire.
• Trump announced the energy ceasefire on Sunday to lower oil and diesel prices before next month's U.S. midterm elections.
• Ukraine said Starlink restrictions stripped it of advance warnings of incoming ballistic missiles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine will resume attacks on Russian energy infrastructure after Moscow failed to uphold its end of an energy ceasefire proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Zelenskyy told the Financial Times that the pause on striking refineries is over, saying, "The block [on attacking refineries] is out. We're done."

Trump announced the energy ceasefire on Sunday, aiming to stop Ukraine and Russia from attacking each other's power facilities and to lower oil and diesel prices ahead of next month's U.S. midterm elections. Ukraine paused strikes on energy targets for three days at Washington's request.

Starlink restrictions hit Ukraine

Despite the pause, officials in Kyiv said Ukraine has been stripped of advance warnings of incoming ballistic missiles because Starlink connectivity services were restricted across the country, disrupting military operations. The restrictions also apply to the sister service Starshield.

Serhii Beskrestnov, an adviser to Zelenskyy on defense technology, said Wednesday that SpaceX imposed a speed limit on Starlink terminals in motion without notifying Ukrainian defense forces. He said on Telegram that the action could not be a coincidence and was related to the current political situation.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wrote on X on Wednesday that the U.S. government is ultimately responsible for any curbs on Ukraine's military-grade Starlink network, saying Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the U.S. government. The White House and SpaceX did not respond to CNBC's request for comment.

The block [on attacking refineries] is out. We're done.

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Zelenskyy on feeling let down

In an interview with Piers Morgan released late Wednesday, Zelenskyy said he felt let down by Trump's recent dealings with Vladimir Putin, Russia's attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and the apparent speed limits on Starshield. Asked whether he felt betrayed, he answered, "Really, yes," but stressed that Ukraine's survival and its strategic relationship with the U.S. mattered more than his personal emotions.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine honored the proposed energy ceasefire for three days, refraining from attacks and retaliation, while Russia launched a massive assault on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, including approximately 40 ballistic missiles. He said he had warned U.S. officials that Russia would violate the ceasefire and described the reported Starlink shutdown as an "absolutely crazy" move inconsistent with the behavior expected between partners.