Ukrainian Strikes Paralyze Russian Oil Pipeline Amid Escalating Conflict

The Ukrainian military intelligence has successfully executed another attack within Russia. They targeted a pipeline for transporting oil products to military vessels, rendering it inoperative.

On the night of April 5th, a pipeline in the Russian Rostov region was the site of an explosion, as reported by the Ukrainian State Security Service. According to military intelligence, this pipeline facilitated the transfer of oil products from a local oil depot to tankers at a port on the Azov Sea.

"The loading of tankers with oil products has been indefinitely suspended," the Ukrainian intelligence has stated.

"This facility was utilized by the aggressor state for military purposes, supporting its genocidal war against Ukraine," assessed the GUR in a statement. Footage of the incident was shared on social media, capturing the attack at night. An explosion lights up the distance, followed by a resonant bang.

In the last two months, Ukraine has ramped up drone attacks on key Russian oil refineries and associated facilities such as terminals, warehouses, and storage sites.

Helima Croft, a former CIA analyst, recently observed that Ukraine has demonstrated its capability to hit much of the oil infrastructure in western Russia, posing a risk to around 60% of Russia's exports.

The Financial Times, referring to three unnamed sources, reported that the United States has urged Ukraine to cease its attacks on Russian infrastructure. Such actions might inflate global oil prices and prompt retaliation. These advisories were purportedly relayed from Washington to senior officials of the SBU and Ukrainian defense intelligence.

Responding to these reports, Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanyszyn affirmed that Russian oil refineries are legitimate military targets. "We are operating in line with NATO's highest standards," she declared. Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the presidential office head, branded the Financial Times report as "fictional."

Vasyl Malyuk, the head of the Ukrainian Security Service, remarked that their operations against Russian oil refineries have led to a 12% drop in Russia's oil production and refining capacities.

Source: GUR, Financial Times, CNN