The US has reportedly urged Ukraine to cease its attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure, warning that such actions could lead to an increase in global oil prices and provoke retaliatory measures from Russia. This advice was communicated to senior officials at Ukraine's state security service (SBU) and its military intelligence directorate (GUR), according to sources familiar with the discussions.

 

The Ukrainian intelligence units have been expanding their drone programs to target Russian assets on land, sea, and air since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. However, the White House has allegedly become increasingly frustrated with the brazen drone attacks conducted by Ukraine, particularly those targeting oil refineries, terminals, depots, and storage facilities in western Russia.

 

 

These attacks have reportedly affected Russia's oil production capacity, and there are concerns in Washington that they could lead to retaliatory actions against energy infrastructure critical to the West. Despite the warnings from the US, Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, suggested that Kyiv would continue its operations, emphasizing that Ukraine is fighting with the resources available to it.

 

Ukraine has intensified its air attacks in recent weeks, expanding its drone programs and targeting Russian oil export infrastructure. According to a military intelligence official in Kyiv, there have been numerous attacks on major Russian refineries, terminals, depots, and storage facilities. The aim of these attacks is to disrupt the supply of fuel to Russian troops and undermine the Kremlin's war effort.

 

Ukraine's drone capabilities have reportedly advanced significantly, allowing it to conduct operations with greater precision and effectiveness.

 

The increase in drone strikes comes amid growing frustration in Kyiv over what is perceived as the West's ambivalent approach to curbing Moscow's energy revenues. However, the US objections to Ukraine's actions stem partly from concerns about rising fuel prices, particularly as President Biden faces a challenging re-election battle. Ukraine's air campaign is also viewed as a way to pressure Washington into approving a $60 billion military assistance package that has been delayed in Congress.

 

Overall, the situation underscores the complex dynamics at play in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, as well as the broader geopolitical implications of military actions targeting energy infrastructure.

 

23.03.24

Source

 

https://www.ft.com/content/98f15b60-bc4d-4d3c-9e57-cbdde122ac0c

 

Biden is worried about feeding the Trump monster - higher oil prices feed into that. If energy prices go up in any meaningful way, he loses in November. Then Trump is at the helm and Ukraine is toast. It's the Republicans withholding aid, not Biden. So there isn't any doublespeak with the 'US' telling Ukraine it can't have more aid and at the same time telling them what they can bomb. Can't Kyiv just stop blasting energy infrastructure until after November? If Biden wins re-election, Ukraine is more likely to receive additional military support. At which point, they can bomb whatever they like.

 

The US has urged Ukraine to halt attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure, warning that the drone strikes risk driving up global oil prices and provoking retaliation, according to three people familiar with the discussions.The repeated warnings from Washington were delivered to senior officials at Ukraine’s state security service, the SBU, and its military intelligence directorate, known as the GUR, the people told the Financial Times.

 

One person said that the White House had grown increasingly frustrated by brazen Ukrainian drone attacks that have struck oil refineries, terminals, depots and storage facilities across western Russia, hurting its oil production capacity.

 

https://archive.is/OTRef

3 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

https://www.ft.com/content/98f15b60-bc4d-4d3c-9e57-cbdde122ac0c

 

Biden is worried about feeding the Trump monster - higher oil prices feed into that. If energy prices go up in any meaningful way, he loses in November. Then Trump is at the helm and Ukraine is toast. It's the Republicans withholding aid, not Biden. So there isn't any doublespeak with the 'US' telling Ukraine it can't have more aid and at the same time telling them what they can bomb. Can't Kyiv just stop blasting energy infrastructure until after November? If Biden wins re-election, Ukraine is more likely to receive additional military support. At which point, they can bomb whatever they like.

 

The US has urged Ukraine to halt attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure, warning that the drone strikes risk driving up global oil prices and provoking retaliation, according to three people familiar with the discussions.The repeated warnings from Washington were delivered to senior officials at Ukraine’s state security service, the SBU, and its military intelligence directorate, known as the GUR, the people told the Financial Times.

 

One person said that the White House had grown increasingly frustrated by brazen Ukrainian drone attacks that have struck oil refineries, terminals, depots and storage facilities across western Russia, hurting its oil production capacity.

 

https://archive.is/OTRef

That's the same link as the OP...............lol

5 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

That's the same link as the OP...............lol

But selectively quoted with my usual insightful narrative - but well spotted nevertheless.

Just now, beautifulthailand99 said:

But selectively quoted with my usual insightful narrative - but well spotted nevertheless.

Cherry picked you mean

So as usual the Russians can send bombs and missiles across the border from hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away, but if the Ukrainians reply in kind the worrywarts of The West get the shivers and can't sleep at night ...

As I've suspected from the beginning: the wretched Ukrainians are given enough weapons to get themselves slaughtered while being prevented from efficiently retaliate against Russian attacks.

 

Ukraine is being laid waste by missiles launched thousands of kilometers away inside Russia, yet it is not allowed to proceed with some modestly successful drone strikes on Russian logistics inside Russia.

 

No wonder 600000 Ukrainian men are dodging the draft as "refugees" in EU countries.

 

Ukraine's pro-West stance has not paid off, it has backfired miserably. What the US deserves is for the Ukrainians to capitulate and accept annexation by Russia.

 

6 minutes ago, JackGats said:

As I've suspected from the beginning: the wretched Ukrainians are given enough weapons to get themselves slaughtered while being prevented from efficiently retaliate against Russian attacks.

 

Ukraine is being laid waste by missiles launched thousands of kilometers away inside Russia, yet it is not allowed to proceed with some modestly successful drone strikes on Russian logistics inside Russia.

 

No wonder 600000 Ukrainian men are dodging the draft as "refugees" in EU countries.

 

Ukraine's pro-West stance has not paid off, it has backfired miserably. What the US deserves is for the Ukrainians to capitulate and accept annexation by Russia.

 

As the fictional Don Corleone said, “Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” has never rung truer.

Note that some usually well-informed sources on the Internet contradict the claim that the US urged Ukraine to stop those strikes. A refinery was hit last night:

 

 

13 hours ago, Social Media said:

This advice was communicated to senior officials at Ukraine's state security service (SBU) and its military intelligence directorate (GUR), according to sources familiar with the discussions.

Or invented and transmitted by sources tasked with the duty.

On 3/23/2024 at 5:45 AM, Social Media said:

The US has reportedly urged Ukraine to cease its attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure, warning that such actions could lead to an increase in global oil prices

Selling weapons and buying cheap oil are obviously the priorities of the land of the free.

And I am sure the other guy who wants to be POTUS wouldn't be any better. 

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Selling weapons and buying cheap oil are obviously the priorities of the land of the free.

And I am sure the other guy who wants to be POTUS wouldn't be any better. 

 

It's an election year.  Donations and votes are the only thing they care about.  I wouldn't be surprised if they're quietly raiding the Strategic Petroleum Reserve too in order to suppress the price at the pump before November.

 

Remind me, who was in the WH when Putin took Crimea?  And who was in the WH when Putin took Donbass?  And who was in the WH when Putin was strangely quiet in between those 2 Dems?

 

1 hour ago, impulse said:

Remind me, who was in the WH when Putin took Crimea?  And who was in the WH when Putin took Donbass?  And who was in the WH when Putin was strangely quiet in between those 2 Dems?

 

And do you think the reason for Putin's behavior is who was in the WH?

On 3/24/2024 at 12:12 AM, beautifulthailand99 said:

https://www.ft.com/content/98f15b60-bc4d-4d3c-9e57-cbdde122ac0c

 

Biden is worried about feeding the Trump monster - higher oil prices feed into that. If energy prices go up in any meaningful way, he loses in November. Then Trump is at the helm and Ukraine is toast. It's the Republicans withholding aid, not Biden. So there isn't any doublespeak with the 'US' telling Ukraine it can't have more aid and at the same time telling them what they can bomb. Can't Kyiv just stop blasting energy infrastructure until after November? If Biden wins re-election, Ukraine is more likely to receive additional military support. At which point, they can bomb whatever they like.

 

The US has urged Ukraine to halt attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure, warning that the drone strikes risk driving up global oil prices and provoking retaliation, according to three people familiar with the discussions.The repeated warnings from Washington were delivered to senior officials at Ukraine’s state security service, the SBU, and its military intelligence directorate, known as the GUR, the people told the Financial Times.

 

One person said that the White House had grown increasingly frustrated by brazen Ukrainian drone attacks that have struck oil refineries, terminals, depots and storage facilities across western Russia, hurting its oil production capacity.

 

https://archive.is/OTRef

Thanks for that post. I initially thought that the US was talking sense, but I hadn't taken the political aspect into consideration.

Now I understand that it's just brazen political expediency to help Biden's election prospects.

 

I had thought that Biden was doing a work around the congress to send some weapons and munitions, but perhaps that was a one off.

9 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Selling weapons and buying cheap oil are obviously the priorities of the land of the free.

And I am sure the other guy who wants to be POTUS wouldn't be any better. 

The other guy will likely see the end of the Ukraine war and a humiliating defeat for Zelensky, from which he hopefully never recovers.

On 3/24/2024 at 12:40 AM, JackGats said:

What the US deserves is for the Ukrainians to capitulate and accept annexation by Russia.

I don't get what that means. Is there some down side to Ukraine being in Russia's orbit?

Will it mean anything to the US other than not being able to put missiles nearer the Russian border?

Will it make any difference to any other country if Ukraine is in or out of Russia?

Prior to the invasion it was a country IMO so corrupt it wasn't allowed to become part of the EU.