Russia vows intensified strikes on Ukraine after refinery attack vow

Key facts

• Russia vowed to intensify strikes on Ukraine after President Zelenskiy pledged to target Russian oil refineries.
• Russia claimed to have hit a bridge in Kyiv used for military transport and two cargo vessels carrying military equipment.
• Ukraine denies deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure.
• Russia accused Ukraine of attempting to disrupt elections with strikes on civilian targets.
• Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv to discuss military aid.

Russia announced on Sunday that it will intensify its attacks on military and industrial facilities in Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine. The announcement from Moscow's Defense Ministry came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that Kyiv would respond to Russian attacks by targeting the country's oil refineries.

In an interview, Zelenskiy said Ukrainian forces "have to respond in any way we can" to Russian attacks, which have increasingly targeted bridges across the Dnipro River in the capital. He added, "With their attacks on our energy, we have to respond on their energy. First of all, oil refiners: what gives money to them for this war," while emphasizing that Ukraine would not deliberately target civilian infrastructure.

The Russian Defense Ministry stated that its recent strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions were a response to what it described as attacks by Kyiv on civilian targets inside Russia, with both sides denying targeting civilians. The ministry added that Russian forces would step up attacks on military facilities, defense industry sites, and related infrastructure in Kyiv and elsewhere.

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz made a surprise one-day visit to Kyiv on Sunday to show support for Ukraine. During his visit, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that Russia had struck the roadway of the North Bridge in the city. Merz is expected to renew Germany's support for Ukraine with a new military aid package worth around €1 billion, in addition to generators, substations, and repair kits worth €350 million to strengthen the Ukrainian power grid.