The US is concerned that targeting Russian energy facilities will impact the Kremlin's oil production capacity and lead to higher global prices – ahead of a tense presidential election in which prices at gas stations are bound to be a controversial topic.
Sources also fear that these repeated strikes will prompt Russia to retaliate and target energy infrastructure that the West depends on, including oil pipelines.
A Ukrainian Security Service spokesperson declined to comment to POLITICO, while officials at GUR and the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not respond to POLITICO's requests for comment.
According to Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanyshina, Ukrainian officials have said that the oil refineries are “quite legitimate targets from a military point of view.”
“We understand the calls of our American partners,” she said at the Kiev Security Forum. Ukrainska Pravda mentioned. At the same time, we are fighting with the capabilities, resources and practices that we have.”
Moscow has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian energy facilities throughout 2023 and into the new year, including a massive barrage on Friday that knocked out power to several cities and damaged the Dnipro hydropower plant.
Veronika Melkozerova contributed reporting from Kiev.
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