Ukraine has emphatically rejected claims that the United States has requested a cessation of its strikes on Russian oil infrastructure. Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, branded such reports as “fake information” and firmly stated, “No one will dictate terms of conducting this war to Ukraine after two years of full-scale war.”
Podolyak’s assertion comes in light of a Financial Times article citing anonymous sources, which suggested that the U.S. had urged Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. The report conveyed concerns that such strikes could prompt a rise in global oil prices and gasoline costs in the U.S., potentially affecting President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign. Despite this, the Ukrainian response has been unequivocal, with Podolyak insisting that Ukraine “can de-oil the tools of waging war” of Russia under international law.
The Financial Times reported that repeated warnings from Washington were allegedly addressed to senior officials of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Defense Intelligence. In defiance, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, Olha Stefanishyna, at the Kyiv Security Forum, held that oil refineries in Russia were legitimate military targets, aligning with NATO’s best practices.
Ukraine has escalated its offensive on Russian oil assets since January, targeting major oil refineries with drone strikes. These attacks aim to disrupt the supply chain to the Russian army, thereby impairing its operational capabilities. For instance, Ukrainian drones struck three oil refineries in the Samara region, focusing on Rosneft facilities, and another large refinery in Yaroslavl was targeted. According to RBC Ukraine, SSU drones also hit an oil refinery in Tuapse, causing a significant fire.
As the conflict enters a new phase with an increase in strikes on critical infrastructure, there is a tangible shift in tactics. Reuters had earlier posited that President Putin could only be reined in by a drop in oil prices. This was underscored by a Bloomberg report stating that Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries signaled a novel stage in the war.
The Ukrainian campaign against Russian energy facilities has had substantial effects, with Russian Minister of Energy Nikolay Shulginov conceding that incidents have resulted in a halt in fuel production at several refineries. The Insider tallied 15 drone attacks on 13 oil refineries across nine regions of Russia this year, with significant damage inflicted on eight of the facilities.
Relations between Kyiv and its chief international supporter have experienced tension due to pre-election politics in Washington, D.C., with a significant aid package for Ukraine pending approval. “If it’s for real, that shows the total weakness and hypocrisy of the U.S.,” Stupak said of the Financial Times report. “Allies in Europe should start developing their own nuclear weapons because the U.S. is dysfunctional and unreliable, and has already failed to deliver military support to Ukraine.”
Relevant articles:
– Ukraine denies the rumour of US requesting to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries
– US urged Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, Financial Times, Fri, 22 Mar 2024 11:42:58 GMT
– Ukraine denies FT’s report that US requested to halt strikes on Russia’s oil refineries, Euromaidan Press, Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:03:26 GMT
– Ukraine Hit by ‘Largest’ Assault as US Accused of Russia Oil Strikes Veto, Newsweek, Fri, 22 Mar 2024 11:50:49 GMT