Ukraine Resumes Drone Strikes on Russian Oil Refineries

Oct 17 · US-Israel attack on Iran led to closure of Strait of Hormuz Updated 02:52

The NY Post reported that a joint US-Israel attack on Iran on February 28 led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which caused diesel prices to rise from under $4 per gallon to $6.53 per gallon by September 21. According to the Institute for the Study of War, Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries did not cause US diesel prices to rise, and the NY Post reported that prices dropped slightly during the peak of those strikes in November 2025. President Zelenskyy accused the White House of cutting off Ukraine's access to the Starshield satellite network, which he stated hindered the deployment of interceptor drones against Russian attacks.

NY Post provides data that challenges the premise of the U.S. administration's pressure on Ukraine. By citing the Institute for the Study of War, the report shows that U.S. diesel price spikes were linked to the Strait of Hormuz closure following a U.S.-Israel attack on Iran, not Ukrainian drone strikes. The detail that prices actually dropped during the peak of refinery attacks in November 2025 suggests the energy ceasefire was based on a flawed economic narrative.

This shifts the understanding of why Ukraine resumed its attacks. It is no longer just a reaction to a perceived betrayal, but a move backed by evidence that the U.S. used a false correlation between refinery strikes and fuel costs to coerce Ukraine into a unilateral truce.

Zelenskyy's accusation regarding the Starshield network adds a tactical layer to the conflict. If the White House restricted satellite access to hinder interceptor drones, the U.S. is not just managing diplomatic optics but actively degrading Ukraine's defensive capabilities to enforce its energy policy.

Oct 16 · Elon Musk confirms US government control of Starshield Updated 19:51

Elon Musk confirmed that the US government and the President control the usage of Starshield. President Trump recently lifted sanctions on Russian diesel and has called for President Zelenskyy to be replaced. President Zelenskyy criticized President Trump's admiration for strongmen. Ukraine claims Russia ignored the energy ceasefire by continuing strikes on Ukrainian power stations. US counterparts explicitly warned Ukrainian military officials that Washington would block intelligence unless strikes on Russian energy infrastructure halted.

The dispute over the energy ceasefire has moved beyond a conflict of narratives to a documented case of coercive diplomacy. Yahoo News UK provides a critical piece of evidence by reporting that US counterparts explicitly warned Ukrainian officials that intelligence would be blocked unless refinery strikes stopped. This confirms that the US did not merely request a pause but used essential military assets as leverage.

Elon Musk's confirmation that the US government and the President control Starshield usage resolves the ambiguity surrounding satellite restrictions. It transforms the issue from a technical or corporate dispute into a direct policy tool wielded by the White House to dictate Ukrainian military targets.

The tension is now framed as a clash of priorities. The US administration appears to prioritize global fuel prices and diplomatic channels with Russia, as evidenced by the lifting of diesel sanctions. Ukraine views these moves, combined with calls for Zelenskyy's replacement, as a pivot toward Russian interests that renders a unilateral ceasefire untenable.