Pentagon calls Russian oil refineries 'civilian targets'
Photo: Celeste Wallander, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (flickr by U.S. Secretary of Defense)
The United States is concerned about Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries. Washington considers refineries to be civilian targets, states Celeste Wallander, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, according to CNN correspondent Natasha Bertrand.
"The issue on attacking critical infrastructure is when those are civilian targets, we have concerns," Wallander stated, commenting on strikes against Russian oil refineries.
She further noted that Ukraine holds itself to the highest standards of observing the laws of armed conflict and that is "one of the elements of being a European democracy".
Inconsistencies at the Pentagon
The head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, stated yesterday, on April 9, that Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries could have consequences for the global energy situation.
He also added that it would be better for Ukraine to target tactical and operational objectives that can directly influence the current fight.
However, he did not mention anything about oil refineries being "civilian targets."
Prior to these statements by US officials, the Financial Times reported that the United States had called on Ukraine to stop strikes on Russian refineries.
Washington is concerned that drone strikes could lead to a rise in global oil prices and gasoline prices in the United States, which could harm President Joe Biden's reelection.
