Ukraine defies Trump and attacks Russian oil again

BarcelonaUkraine has once again attacked Russian oil despite pressure from US President Donald Trump to stop attacks that he believes are driving up the price of diesel. Kyiv launched a drone attack early this Friday against the Novokuibyshevsk oil refinery in southwestern Russia, which produces fuel for the Russian army. Before the attack, local authorities issued a drone alert and closed the airport.

Ukraine had halted attacks on Russian oil for over a week due to pressure from a Trump who sees howinflation and the price of diesel are complicating his midterm elections, which are held on November 3. Electoral urgency makes the US president seek to hold Kyiv responsible for the international fuel deficit – and the consequent price increase – and also to divert attention from the impact of the war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

The new attack on Russian oil comes just after the American newspaper The Wall Street Journal reported that due to Trump's pressure, Ukraine had temporarily stopped attacks on Russian oil facilities until after the midterm elections.

Attack against Moscow

Aside from oil, Kyiv also launched a massive drone attack against Moscow early this morning. According to the mayor of the Russian capital, Sergei Sobyanin, Ukraine attacked Moscow with 862 drones, 170 of which were intercepted near the city.

The previous night, Ukraine also attacked the Russian capital with 613 drones, according to Sobyanin. The Kremlin condemned the attack and warned that if Ukraine continues the aggressions against Moscow in the coming days, it could affect the date of the meeting between representatives of Russia, Ukraine, and the United States to address a possible peace agreement. The meeting does not yet have a scheduled date, but it is expected to be held at the beginning of November.