Ukraine Resumes Deep Strikes as Starlink Disruption and US Pressure Escalate Conflict

Key points

• Zelensky stated 'The block is out. We’re done,' resuming attacks on Russian refineries after a three-day pause.
• Ukraine struck the Rosneft-owned Ryazan refinery and the Borisoglebsk airfield using non-Starlink dependent systems like Neptune missiles.
• Ukrainian troops reported temporary restrictions on Starshield speeds, which Zelensky called a deliberate act, not a technical glitch.
• Moscow launched over 850 drones on Ukraine, including a record swarm targeting central regions, while Zelensky claimed over 100 civilians were killed in the past week.
• US senators demanded an investigation into the intelligence and communication disruptions, with the White House denying responsibility.

Background

This escalation follows a sustained Ukrainian campaign targeting Russian energy infrastructure since September 2026, which has reduced Russian oil processing to a 20-year low. Previous strikes on facilities in Omsk, Rostov, and Saratov have caused significant fuel shortages and price spikes in Russia. The current flare-up occurs amid a deepening rift between Kyiv and Washington, which deteriorated after a public confrontation in February 2025 and recent US business deals with Moscow.

How outlets are covering it

EUobserver and The Guardian emphasize the deliberate nature of the Starlink restrictions, citing Zelensky’s claims that the US acted as a 'Putin ally' by cutting intelligence and communications. The Times of India highlights Zelensky’s anger over US business deals with Russia and his demand for Patriot interceptors. While EUobserver notes that alternative navigation systems allowed strikes to continue, The Guardian reports that the disruption severely hampered frontline drone operations. All sources agree that the 'energy ceasefire' declared by Trump has collapsed, with Russia continuing to attack Ukrainian infrastructure despite the truce.

Why it matters

The collapse of the energy ceasefire signals a shift toward more aggressive, deep-strike warfare, potentially escalating the conflict into a new phase. The disruption of Starlink highlights the vulnerability of modern warfare to digital infrastructure and the strategic leverage held by US-controlled technology. Furthermore, the strikes on Russian refineries and data centers threaten to disrupt civilian life and critical digital services in Russia, while the US-Ukraine rift risks undermining Western support for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.

What to watch

Ukraine is expected to continue escalating strikes on Russian energy and digital infrastructure, including data centers, as retaliation for Russian attacks. The US may face increased pressure to investigate the Starlink disruptions and reconsider its intelligence-sharing policies. Russia may intensify its drone campaigns against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, while diplomatic tensions between Washington and Kyiv could further strain Western support for the war effort.