The United States puts “brakes” on Ukrainian attacks against Russia

The United States has asked Ukraine to stop attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure, warning against this It could provoke retaliation from Moscow and increase global oil pricesmentioned in today's article Financial Times Citing people familiar with the case.

Washington's repeated warnings were conveyed to senior officials in Ukraine's State Security Service, SBU, and the Military Intelligence Directorate, known as GUR. Both intelligence units have steadily expanded their drone programs To strike Russian targets on land, sea and air Since the beginning of the full invasion of the Kremlin in February 2022.

The White House is increasingly frustrated by Ukrainian drone attacks that have struck oil refineries, terminals, warehouses and storage facilities across western Russia, crippling its ability to produce oil, one of the people said.

Russia It remains one of the world's most important energy exportersDespite Western sanctions imposed on the oil and gas sector. Oil prices rose about 15% this year to $85 per barrel, leading to higher fuel costs as US President Joe Biden begins his re-election campaign.

Washington is also concerned that if Ukraine continues to strike Russian facilities, including several located hundreds of kilometers from the border, Russia may retaliate by striking energy infrastructure that the West depends on.

This includes the CPC pipeline that transports oil from Kazakhstan via Russia to the global market. Western companies such as Exxon Mobil And the Chevronused the pipeline, which Moscow briefly shut down in 2022.

“We do not encourage or permit attacks inside Russia.” A spokesman for the National Security Council said. The CIA declined to comment, as did a spokesman for the Ukrainian Security Service in Kiev.