Ukraine will increase its attacks on Russian oil refineries, but will not target civilians, in response to a new policy of airstrikes by Moscow, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated. He told Reuters that Russia's new policy is designed to compel people to abandon Kyiv and other cities.
Ukraine's intelligence service has reportedly obtained documents indicating that Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has issued a new doctrine of military attacks on a broader range of civilian targets ahead of winter. Mr Zelenskyy said these documents permit attacks on infrastructure, logistics, roads, schools, and hospitals in cities and villages.
Mr Zelenskyy stated, "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." He reiterated that Ukraine would not respond by targeting any civilian objects.
Separately, Mr Zelenskyy told Reuters that a Ukrainian counteroffensive, dubbed Vivaldi, has recaptured approximately 140 sq km (54 sq miles) of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region. He also mentioned that Ukraine is working to improve its jamming capabilities and expects to receive a first shipment of small, cheap air defence missiles in the second half of October to counter new jet-powered Shahed drones.