Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna has stated that the Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries are fully justified, and such facilities are “absolutely legitimate targets” militarily. This declaration was made at the Kyiv Security Forum on March 22, amidst reports from the Financial Times suggesting that the United States had warned Ukraine against targeting Russian oil infrastructure due to potential global economic repercussions and risks of escalation.
Unnamed sources within Ukraine’s military intelligence and Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) were quoted by the Financial Times, saying that the U.S. expressed concerns that such attacks might propel global oil prices upward and provoke further retaliation from Russia.
While Deputy Prime Minister Stefanishyna did not confirm any direct communications regarding the warning, she emphasized Ukraine’s military success and stated that the country is utilizing all available resources and practices at its disposal to conduct successful operations within Russian territory.
Stefanishyna reflected on discussions with NATO following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, mentioning that she had asked for support to “close the sky” over Ukraine. According to her, NATO believes that this includes destroying infrastructure in Russia that is used for launching attacks on Ukraine.
She concluded by asserting that Ukraine’s actions are aligned with the highest standards of NATO.
In recent weeks, a significant number of drone strikes led by Ukrainian forces have targeted the Russian oil industry, successfully hitting oil refineries in regions deep within Russia’s borders.
Ukrainian drones target Russian oil facilities in strategic attacks
To halt Moscow’s advances and allow for strategic military maneuvers such as troop rotations and resupply, Ukraine has been striking at the heart of Russia’s oil capabilities. The recent drone assaults on Russian refineries are a testament to Ukraine’s resolve in this conflict.
FAQs
- What is the significance of Ukraine attacking Russian oil refineries?
The attacks on Russian oil refineries by Ukrainian forces are significant as they aim to disrupt Russia’s oil industry and diminish its capacity to fund and sustain military operations. - Has the US warned Ukraine against such strikes?
The Financial Times reported that unnamed US officials warned Ukraine that continuing to strike Russian oil refineries could have negative consequences on global oil prices and risk further Russian retaliation. - Did the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister confirm the US warning?
The deputy prime minister, Olha Stefanishyna, did not directly confirm the receipt of such a warning, but highlighted Ukraine’s military objectives and its adherence to utilizing all strategic options available. - What has been NATO’s response to Ukraine’s requests for support?
NATO’s response to Ukraine’s requests for support includes the understanding that disabling infrastructure in Russia used to conduct attacks against Ukraine is essential.
Conclusion
Despite reports of the United States cautioning Ukraine against targeting Russian oil infrastructure, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna has reinforced that such facilities remain legitimate military targets. She asserts that Ukraine’s strategic strikes are consistent with NATO standards and pivotal to countering Russian aggression. As the conflict continues, Ukraine’s determination to leverage all available resources and practices to maintain its defense and counter-offensive campaigns is evident. International dynamics and strategic military decisions continue to unfold within this ongoing geopolitical landscape.
Note: The information provided in this article is based on recent events and has been sourced from various internet platforms using AI news feed technology. The original source of the news from the Kyiv Independent can be found here for further reference. TheUBJ does not claim ownership of the content.