Obrambni uradnik: Fronta se segreje, energetsko premirje propade, ker se napetost med ZDA in Kijevom povečuje

Kyiv’s presidential office chief rejected Russian claims that forces have captured the city of Dobropillia in Donetsk Oblast, asserting that the settlement remains under Ukrainian control. Kirilo Budanov, who heads the Office of the President and serves on the negotiation delegation, posted a statement on Telegram during ongoing talks with American representatives in Norway. He accused a senior Russian commander of misleading Vladimir Putin regarding the status of the battlefield. Budanov specifically named Lieutenant General Andrey Ivanayev, the commander of the Russian Central Grouping of Forces. The Ukrainian official alleged that Ivanayev has already reported the supposed capture of Dobropillia to the Kremlin. According to Budanov, the Russian general pressures subordinates to achieve unrealistic goals solely to validate his initial reports. “It is a fact that Dobropillia is under the control of Ukraine, and therefore there is no talk of Russian forces occupying this Ukrainian city,” Budanov stated. He emphasized that false statements will not alter reality. These comments came amid difficult negotiations aimed at achieving a permanent peace. Budanov noted that all parties must act prudely and base their actions on a realistic assessment of the situation rather than distorted information. He added that Ukrainian defensive forces continue to hold their positions to protect national territory and interests. Separate developments highlight rising tensions between Washington and Kyiv. Gert Kaju, head of the Estonian Ministry of Defense’s defense readiness department, briefed reporters on Friday regarding strategic shifts. He revealed that the United States issued a temporary permit allowing Russia to supply diesel fuel to its domestic and global markets. U.S. leadership expects Russia to deliver three million tons of diesel rapidly, a move intended to lower fuel prices within the United States. This decision followed a previously announced ceasefire regarding attacks on energy facilities, which neither side formally agreed to. Ukraine attempted to honor the energy truce by refraining from striking Russian oil refineries for three days, conditional on Russia halting attacks on Ukrainian power plants and transmission networks. However, Russia interpreted the agreement narrowly, limiting the pause to oil refineries and fuel transport infrastructure only. Consequently, Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure continued. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the ceasefire proposed by President Donald Trump lacked detailed specifications. The U.S.-Russia diesel deal drew international criticism, including from Kyiv. In response, U.S. officials raised the issue of holding elections and changing the government in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to hold elections only if a 60-day ceasefire were established. Moscow refused this proposal, believing Ukraine would use the pause to rebuild its forces. According to Peskov, Russia was prepared to offer a ceasefire for only 24 hours. Because Russia did not observe the energy truce, Zelensky announced on October 15 that Ukraine would resume strikes against Russian oil refineries. He stated Ukraine would consider suspending these attacks only if it received assistance in strengthening its missile defense capabilities. Battlefield intensity has increased significantly. Nearly 230 combat engagements occurred daily along the front line over the past week, a rise from the previous period. The fiercest fighting took place in Donetsk Oblast toward Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka, followed by the Hulyaipole direction in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the Southern Slobozhanshchyna direction in Kharkiv Oblast, and the Lyman sector in Donetsk Oblast. Ukrainian counterattacks focused primarily on the Lyman and Sloviansk directions in Donetsk Oblast, the Oleksandrivka area in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, and Sumy Oblast. Ukrainian forces pushed back Russian units in the Sloviansk and Kramatorsk sections, reinforcing the frontline in that sector. Russian objectives remain reaching the borders of Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, restoring positions in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, and expanding control in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts. Russian military losses averaged 1,600 personnel per day. Weekly losses exceeded 10,000 troops for the seventh consecutive week. Extensive airstrikes accompanied the ground fighting despite the stalled truce. Russian forces targeted locations in at least 19 of Ukraine’s 24 oblasts. Long-range precision strikes hit critical infrastructure, residential buildings, and government communications centers.