The Wall Street Journal reports Ukrainian forces have informally paused attacks
on Russian refineries after weeks of pressure that has shaken Kyiv’s confidence
in US support. The pause, not officially announced by Kyiv, began early last
week and is expected to last through the US midterm elections and possibly into
November. Two Ukrainian officers said units conducting long-range strikes were
told in mid-October that, after completing current missions, operations against
refineries would be suspended. The move followed public pressure from former US
President Trump and restrictions on Ukrainian use of SpaceX’s Starlink;
Ukraine’s defense minister told the president the pause was appropriate given
the delicate diplomatic situation, and the president agreed while leaving open
the option for forces to resume strikes unilaterally.
