Ukraine’s military is running low on ammunition and troops to break the deadlock on the battlefield, so they have shifted their focus to attacking Russian infrastructure behind enemy lines. This includes targeting warships, railways, airfields, and most recently, oil refineries deep within Russian territory. These attacks aim to disrupt Moscow’s military operations and logistical routes, as well as diminish Russia’s profits from oil exports. The recent drone strikes on Russian refineries have prompted Moscow to introduce a six-month ban on gasoline exports, indicating the impact of Ukraine’s campaign. President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia has acknowledged the goal of these attacks, which he believes is to interfere with the upcoming presidential elections in Russia and gain leverage in future negotiations. The appeal of Ukraine’s recent drone targets is their sprawling and hard-to-protect nature, making them vulnerable to such attacks. Refineries, in particular, have been a prime focus due to their role in producing valuable oil products. The complexity of these facilities makes them difficult to defend, and their strategic location closer to Ukraine adds to their attractiveness as targets.
2024-03-14 20:10:38
Link from www.nytimes.com