Ukraine’s Armed Forces responded to a Russian defense ministry post that appeared to threaten intensified attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure this winter with a warning about strikes on Russian oil refineries.
On Friday, the Strategic Communications Department of the Armed Forces of Ukraine published an image on Telegram showing a fire at an industrial facility with the caption: “We’ll warm ourselves with the fire of Russian oil refineries.”
The post appeared to be a response to a message published earlier by Russia’s defense ministry featuring Shahed attack drones and the caption: “Like snow on your head.”
The Russian message appeared to hint at further attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during the winter, when Moscow has repeatedly targeted power generation and heating infrastructure.
The reference to “freezing” also comes amid renewed discussions about a possible halt to hostilities. However, the Russian post appeared to suggest that Moscow could instead continue or intensify attacks on Ukraine’s energy system.
However, Ukraine’s Armed Forces responded with a direct warning aimed at Russia’s oil industry.
The image posted by the Strategic Communications Department showed a large fire at what appears to be an industrial facility, alongside the message about “warming” with the fire of Russian oil refineries.
The Ukrainian military did not provide details about any planned strikes or identify specific potential targets.
Russia rejects ceasefire efforts
The exchange came amid renewed discussions about possible limited ceasefires and restrictions on attacks against civilian infrastructure.
Reuters recently reported that Ukraine had proposed to Russia, through a third party, a mutual halt to attacks on civilian targets in the Black Sea. Russian officials said they had not received any formal proposal.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has also called on Ukraine and Russia to develop a mechanism for a moratorium on attacks against ships in the Black Sea, according to Ukraine’s FM Andrii Sybiha.
However, on Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rejected a halt to fighting along the current line of contact. Lavrov also threatened to make Russia’s approach “harsher,” saying Moscow would seek to destroy what he described as everything supporting Ukraine’s military machine from the West.
The latest statements from both sides come as Ukraine and Russia continue to signal that energy and other critical infrastructure could remain central targets as the war enters another winter.