Ukraine denies US requested to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries
Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Mykhailo Podolyak (Getty Images)
Ukraine did not receive calls from the United States to cease attacks on Russian oil refineries, according to the advisor to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Mykhailo Podolyak. Earlier, the media reported on Washington's alleged request to Kyiv.
He denied the reports that the United States supposedly demanded from the Ukrainian side to refrain from striking Russian oil infrastructure, calling them "fake information."
"No one will dictate terms of conducting this war to Ukraine after two years of full-scale war," Podolyak said.
He adds that Ukraine "can de-oil the tools of waging war" of the aggressor under international law.
"Fuel is a primary tool of waging war. Ukraine will destroy fuel infrastructure," he concluded.
Background
Earlier today, the Financial Times reported that the United States urged Ukraine to stop attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, warning that drone strikes could lead to an increase in global oil prices and gasoline in the United States, harming the re-election of President Joe Biden.
Repeated warnings from Washington were supposedly addressed to senior officials of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Defense Intelligence, according to FT sources.
In turn, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna stated at the Kyiv Security Forum that oil refineries in Russia were legitimate targets for Ukraine from a military perspective. By striking these targets, the Defense Forces act according to NATO's best practices, the official added.
Attacks on oil refineries in Russia
Since January, Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, striking major oil refineries to disrupt the supply to the Russian army.
For example, Ukrainian drones recently attacked three oil refineries in the Samara region, targeting Rosneft facilities. Recently, a drone also attacked one of the largest oil refineries in Yaroslavl.
As reported by RBC-Ukraine sources, SSU drones hit an oil refinery in Tuapse, resulting in a powerful fire. It was recently announced that Ukrainian drones attacked an oil refinery in the Krasnodar region of Russia.
The Insider calculated that in 2024, there were 15 drone attacks on 13 oil refineries in nine regions of Russia. Significant damage was inflicted on eight facilities.
As Reuters previously reported, Putin can only be stopped by the drop in oil prices.
Recently, Bloomberg wrote that Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries marked a new stage in the war.
On March 20, Russian Minister of Energy Nikolay Shulginov acknowledged the halt in fuel production at several oil refineries due to "incidents" and stated the search for a solution to the problem.
For more information on whether attacks on oil refineries can cripple Russia and help Ukraine on the front lines, read RBC-Ukraine's article.
Oleksandr Kharchenko, Director of the Energy Industry Research Center, also explained in a comment to RBC-Ukraine whether there is a connection between the strike on Ukraine and hits on oil refineries in Russia.
