President Donald Trump unequivocally denied authorizing Ukraine to conduct missile strikes inside Russia, stating "I didn't do that," between 11:02 PM and 12:02 AM UTC on October 23rd, 2025. This statement came as explosions were reported in the Dyagilevo area of Ryazan and in Pavlograd between 12:32 AM and 1:32 AM UTC on October 23rd, 2025, and air raid alerts reported six UAVs traversing the Konotop district of Sumy Oblast, Ukraine. Trump specifically addressed a Wall Street Journal report, characterizing it as "fake news" during the 11:02 PM to 12:02 AM UTC window. The U.S. administration has previously stated that while the authority for supporting long-range attacks has been delegated to EUCOM, the U.S. retains the ability to restrict Ukraine's use of certain missiles due to American targeting data. These developments occurred as a Ukrainian source stated that recent U.S. sanctions on "Rosneft" and "Lukoil" will trigger a collapse in key sectors of the Russian economy. The source asserted that the blocking of dollar and euro settlements, insurance services, and sea transportation for these energy giants will severely damage Russian oil exports, with "clean" oil exports hindered without these essential services. The source predicted a new wave of ruble devaluation and inflation, leading to a currency deficit and drop in budget revenues. Previous reports from October 22nd, 2025, detailed U.S. sanctions imposed on subsidiaries of Russian energy firms Lukoil and Rosneft between 9:03 PM and 10:03 PM UTC, in response to Russia's continued refusal to pursue peace in Ukraine. During that earlier period, explosions were reported in Kamianske, Ukraine, and at a plant in Kopeisk, Russia, where the death toll later rose to nine according to SHOT, with five individuals hospitalized. Governor Alexey Teksler confirmed that open burning at the Kopeisk site had been extinguished and rescuers began clearing rubble. In parallel to the denial and drone activity, the previous reporting window also saw air raid alerts for six UAVs detected in the Konotop district of Sumy Oblast, Ukraine, and Russian "Shahed-136/131" type UAVs launched from Orel and Halino airfields, according to monitor reports. Temporary restrictions were also introduced at the airports of Saratov and Tambov.
