Volodymyr Zelensky defies Donald Trump with major attack on Russian refinery

Volodymyr Zelensky defies Donald Trump with major attack on Russian refinery Donald Trump fell out with Volodymyr Zelensky again in the worst rift in months after the Ukrainian leader branded a US deal to buy Russian diesel a “gift” to Russian President Vladimir Putin Ukraine's President has defied the US by launching a major attack on a Russian refinery — hours after Elon Musk called for an end to Volodymyr Zelensky’s presidency. Tech multi-billionaire Musk threw himself into the latest Kyiv - Washington diplomatic bust-up by supporting US President Donald Trump’s calls for Zelensky to ‘go.’ Trump fell out with Zelensky again in the worst rift in months after the Ukrainian leader branded a US deal to buy Russian diesel a “gift” to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The row has been worsened by Zelensky’s order to his troops to target a refinery in Russia’s Ryazan region, south east of Moscow, which serves five per cent of the country’s output. It came just hours after Musk’s astonishing intervention, amid fears Ukraine’s military access to his Starlink communications has been slowed down, risking the lives of civilians and troops. The tech giant, appearing to blame Ukraine for the war, wrote on social media that “Zelensky has no intention of ending the war until Russia is defeated. And then he added: “And so the slaughter continues … Time for Zelensky to go.” Overnight three more people in Ukraine died from Russian missile strikes as Ukraine faces losing intelligence-sharing with the US which could save civilians and help Kyiv’s troops. Poland’s foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski called out Musk under suspicion he was helping to restrict or slow down Ukraine’s Starlink connection, writing on social media: “Hey, @elonmusk, big man, are you playing politics with your products again? “As your European customers, we are watching you.” It followed Zelensky branding Trump’s deal to buy Russian diesel a “gift” to Vladimir Putin as he came under pressure from Washington to stop striking Moscow’s oil industry. Despite Trump announcing an “energy ceasefire” had been agreed upon by Russia and Ukraine, Moscow attacked a Kyiv power station within hours of the US President’s claims. Fresh reports emerged overnight that Washington is restricting intelligence sharing to Ukraine and would remove it altogether if Kyiv’s troops continue deep strike hits against Russian oil. Trump has repeatedly tried to pivot blame for the global energy crisis towards Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil depots and away from his disastrous war on Iran. Zelensky, who was in London for meetings at 10 Downing Street spoke to journalist Piers Morgan, describing the Trump betrayal. He even stressed that he was sure that the United States knew full well restricting Starlink access will have deadly results for Ukraine. Zelensky said: "It's a pity that we are losing a strong partner. I am sure they knew what they did, absolutely. Because it was 1am at night, Starlink was blocked by SpaceX and the United States. This decision will bring a lot of human losses. Of course, people will die." Zelensky also told Mr Morgan that Ukraine would not be sold in any future peace deal with Russia. He said: "We're not selling our country. Look, guys, it's not about business for us. It's our lives. It's our country, our home, our children.” Ukrainian defence officials have suggested Washington is behind slower speeds reported on some internet terminals that usually help the country's military hit Russian-occupied territory and operate interceptor drones. Kyiv has also accused the United States of helping Russia by failing to warn it of incoming missile strikes, with the city hit by ballistic missiles for two nights in a row before air raid sirens could sound to warn residents to take cover. A senior official in Kyiv also said that the United States had in recent days threatened to stop providing intelligence about Russian missile launches that Ukraine uses to thwart attacks -- which Trump has denied. Trump, facing key midterm elections next month in which soaring fuel prices are a major issue, has blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries for the squeeze on supplies and increase in prices at the pump. Sources say the EU is thrashing out plans to help Ukraine reduce its reliance on Starlink some time next year. It would mean inclouding Kyiv in a secure satellite communications system similar to Starlink. But currently it is not known if it could directly replace the Musk system and it may not be available until next year.