Ukraine continued its campaign of strikes on Russian oil refineries, including an attack on a facility in the Samara region overnight, despite warnings from Donald Trump that these actions are exacerbating global diesel shortages and driving up fuel prices. Kyiv also reported hitting a Russian vessel and a drone launch site.
Ukraine's continued strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, despite international pressure and warnings about global fuel prices, highlight the strategic importance of energy assets in the ongoing conflict. The actions directly impact global diesel supply and contribute to price volatility, creating a complex geopolitical and economic challenge for the US and other nations.
Ukraine is continuing its campaign of strikes against Russian oil refineries, even as President Donald Trump has urged Kyiv to cease these attacks, arguing they are contributing to a global diesel shortage and rising fuel prices. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that Ukraine had struck an oil facility in Russia’s southern Samara region overnight, in addition to hitting a Russian vessel in the Black Sea and a drone launch and storage site in the Oryol region.
Trump has repeatedly stated that Ukraine’s strikes on Russian refineries are a primary driver of the current squeeze on global fuel supplies, particularly diesel. He noted in a public statement on Wednesday that "diesel is really hurt much more... by what’s going on in Russia, because those diesel refineries are being knocked out at a pretty alarming rate." Diesel prices in the US have recently reached record highs, contributing to cost-of-living pressures.
However, energy analysts attribute the price increases more broadly to the conflict in Iran and wider disruptions in global oil markets. Nevertheless, Ukraine's sustained strikes on Russian refining capacity, which Kyiv estimates at over 45%, have created an additional challenge for the US, particularly given the politically sensitive timing ahead of midterm elections. These attacks have led to fuel rationing and long queues at petrol stations in some Russian regions.
Russia, a major diesel exporter, has extended its ban on diesel exports until the end of October, further tightening global supply. Mykola Bielieskov, a military analyst at Ukraine’s National Institute for Strategic Studies, indicated that Kyiv is unlikely to cease targeting Russian energy infrastructure as long as Moscow continues its attacks on Ukraine. "There is no rationale for Ukraine to continue exercising restraint while it is being bombarded and major urban areas are under constant attack," he said, emphasizing the need to deprive Russia of revenue.
Meanwhile, Russia has continued its missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, targeting energy infrastructure and businesses. On Thursday morning, a Russian drone struck a school in Kyiv, though no injuries were reported as children were in a basement. A key bridge in the capital was also hit, disrupting public transport. The sustained attacks have raised concerns about potential power and heating outages in Ukraine this winter, similar to those experienced last year.
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