Trump Supports Ukraine’s Strikes on Russia’s Shadow Fleet and Oil Infrastructure
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump effectively allowed Ukraine to carry out strikes on Russia’s shadow fleet, which transports Russian oil, as well as on fuel infrastructure facilities. According to American and Ukrainian officials, Trump did not express objections to attacks on the logistical routes of Russian oil in international waters, and in some cases even approved the transfer of intelligence to Kyiv that was used to target Russian oil facilities.
This is reported by AgroReview
The U.S. Considers Strikes as a Means of Pressure on Russia
According to available information, similar attacks are viewed in the United States as an effective tool for influencing the Russian Federation, although it is acknowledged that this may pose risks to the global energy market. Strikes on the shadow fleet and oil refineries of Russia have been carried out in various regions, including the Black and Caspian Seas.
A Series of Attacks on Russian Vessels and Oil Refineries
On November 28, near the Bosphorus, the tankers Kairos and Virat, which are under Western sanctions for transporting Russian oil in violation of the price cap, were attacked. On December 10, Ukrainian Security Service marine drones Sea Baby struck the shadow fleet tanker Dashan in the Black Sea. Two days later, on December 12, Ukrainian special forces attacked two Russian vessels in the Caspian Sea — “Composer Rachmaninov” and “Askar-Sarydja,” which are also under U.S. sanctions. During these operations, the vessels were transporting weapons and military equipment.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump effectively gave Ukraine the green light for strikes on the Russian shadow fleet, noting that Trump did not object to strikes on Russia’s oil logistics in international waters and, in several cases, approved the transfer of intelligence to Kyiv that was used to target Russian oil infrastructure facilities.
Throughout the week, the Security Service of Ukraine twice struck oil drilling platforms of the Lukoil company in the Caspian Sea, resulting in the cessation of production at these facilities. In addition, Ukraine continues to strike Russian oil refineries. For instance, on Friday, defense forces targeted the facilities of the Slavneft-YANOS refinery in the Yaroslavl region, and on Saturday, the refinery in Saratov, which had only recently resumed operations. On Sunday, December 14, a strike was carried out on the facilities of the Afipsky refinery in the Krasnodar region and the “Uryupinskaya” oil depot in the Volgograd region of Russia.