The US called on Ukraine to stop attacks on Russian oil plants - FT
Date: 2024-03-22 Author: Кирило Загоруйко Categories: WORLD
The United States has called on Ukraine to stop attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure, warning that drone strikes could raise global oil prices and provoke retaliation.
According to the Financial Times, citing three informed sources, Washington's warning was conveyed to senior officials of the Ukrainian Security Service and its Main Intelligence Directorate.
One source said the White House was "increasingly frustrated by brazen Ukrainian drone attacks that have hit refineries, terminals, depots and storage facilities across western Russia, crippling its oil production capacity."
Russia remains one of the world's most important energy exporters, despite Western sanctions on its oil and gas sector. Oil prices have risen about 15% this year to $85 a barrel, pushing up fuel costs just as US President Joe Biden launched his re-election campaign.
Washington is also concerned that if Ukraine continues to attack Russian assets, Russia could retaliate by attacking the energy infrastructure the West relies on.
“We do not encourage or allow attacks inside Russia,” a US National Security Council spokesman said.
The CIA declined to comment. A representative of the SBU declined to comment, and employees of the Main Intelligence Directorate and representatives of the President's Office did not respond to requests for comment.
Attacks on Russian oil facilities
Ukraine has stepped up its air attacks in recent weeks as the ground war shifts in Moscow's favor. There have been at least 12 attacks on major Russian oil refineries since 2022, according to a military intelligence official in Kyiv. At least nine such attacks have been carried out this year. Several terminals, warehouses and storage facilities were also hit.
Gelima Croft, a former CIA analyst, noted that Ukraine could hit much of the oil export infrastructure in western Russia, threatening about 60% of the country's exports.
The United States is concerned about the Ukrainian strikes, as Biden faces a tough fight for re-election. Gasoline prices are rising.
“Nothing scares a sitting American president more than a sharp rise in fuel prices in an election year,” said Bob McNally, president of the consultancy Rapidan Energy and a former White House energy adviser.
As technology develops, Ukraine is constantly increasing the number of drone strikes. Ukrainian officials say they have developed drones with a range of more than 1,000 km and a payload capable of causing serious damage.
Last week, Kyiv carried out two of its largest and most global drone attacks. GUR and SBU successfully hit seven Russian energy facilities within a week.
Over the past year, GRU and SBU naval drones have also struck Russian ports, destroyed several Russian warships in the Black Sea and struck Moscow's prized Crimean Bridge.
According to one Ukrainian official who was involved in planning and carrying out the attacks, the purpose of the "special operations" is to disrupt the supply of fuel to Russian troops and reduce funding for the Kremlin's war effort.
Kyiv also wants to deliver a symbolic blow, bringing the war closer to Moscow and demonstrating that its air defenses - including around the Kremlin - can be penetrated.
In addition, the air campaign is also seen as a means to push Washington to approve a $60 billion military aid package. It is currently being considered in Congress and is critical to Ukraine's defense.
