In a recent statement, former U.S. President Donald Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries and other facilities related to diesel production and distribution. Trump warned that these strikes are exacerbating a global diesel shortage, which has seen average prices in the United States climb above $6 per gallon, a historic high. He suggested that Ukraine focus on other military targets instead of Russian diesel infrastructure.
Ukraine has been increasingly targeting Russia’s oil and gas sector with long-range strikes, disrupting refining processes and contributing to domestic fuel shortages in Russia. Concurrently, Moscow has tightened diesel exports, further straining international supplies. The situation is compounded by disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz due to ongoing conflict involving Iran, with the International Energy Agency reporting that diesel and gasoil exports from Gulf countries in August fell to just over a quarter of their pre-conflict levels.
Kyiv maintains that Russia’s energy sector is a significant financial backbone for its military operations in Ukraine, justifying its continued strikes on Russian oil facilities, including refineries and storage sites. In response, Russia has ramped up its attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Recent overnight strikes have hit Odesa and other areas, resulting in casualties and damage to civilian and energy facilities, according to Ukrainian officials.
This escalation has also seen a rise in drone warfare, with both Russian and Ukrainian forces launching large-scale drone attacks over the past weekend. Ukraine reported that Russian drones targeted residential and strategic infrastructure, while Russian authorities noted Ukrainian strikes on industrial zones. As the United States approaches the November midterm elections, rising fuel prices are becoming a significant concern, with Trump’s call for restraint by Ukraine reflecting worries about the war’s impact on global fuel supplies.