Iran war and oil spike could help Russia - Ukraine moves to counter threat
Photo: Pavlo Palisa (president.gov.ua)
The war in Iran and rising oil prices may partly benefit Russia, but Ukraine is working to offset these factors, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, Brigadier General Pavlo Palisa, stated in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
Read also: Ukraine official speaks out on possible new mobilization in Russia
According to Palisa, the situation should be viewed from two sides. On one hand, Iran is an ally of Russia, so its weakening is a positive factor for Ukraine in the short term.
“Now, regarding the other side of the coin. This is a shift in focus of attention, and it is not in Ukraine’s favor. The shift in attention partially leads to changes in weapons supply flows, especially scarce types,” he said.
Regarding rising oil prices, Palisa noted that this could create additional opportunities for Russia to continue the war. At the same time, Ukraine is trying to counter this.
“For example, you see how our Defense Forces are targeting the largest nodes of Russia’s energy infrastructure: Ust-Luga, Primorsk,” he added.
According to the brigadier general, back in 2022–2023, Russians could not have imagined that Ukraine would have the capability to strike such strategic facilities, which demonstrates the continuous development of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
At the same time, the deputy head of the Presidential Office urged not to idealize the situation or underestimate the enemy, as Russia remains brutal and aggressive and shows no intention of stopping hostilities.
“You can see the rhetoric as well. From what we observe on the battlefield, they are not going to stop anytime soon. And you can see their behavior during negotiations. So I do not see any particular desire on their part to end the war,” Palisa said.
Recent strikes on Russia’s oil facilities
Ukraine has been actively carrying out drone strikes on Russian oil refineries and infrastructure to deprive Moscow of funding for the war.
Thanks to long-range drones, attacks are targeting oil facilities, reducing Russia’s oil exports, which are the backbone of its economy.
On the night of April 7, Ukrainian forces again struck the oil terminal at the port of Ust-Luga on the Baltic Sea.
Following a recent strike on the Sheskharis oil terminal in Russia’s Krasnodar region, several infrastructure elements used for oil transshipment and shipment were damaged.
On the night of April 8, an oil depot at the Marine Oil Terminal in temporarily occupied Feodosia was also attacked, where a large-scale fire broke out.
