Ukrainian attacks against Russian refineries should intensify. Although the United States is studying the possibility of offering long -range “Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, it also agreed to provide information on energy infrastructure objectives, reports Reuters this Thursday, October 2. The agency sees it as the first significant change in Donald Trump, since it seems to harden its position with respect to Vladimir Putin.
Combined with American information, “Tomahawk” missiles could significantly increase the strike skills of the Ukrainian army. The latter has a maximum range of 1,600 km, five times more than the other cruise missiles delivered to Ukraine, such as the “scalp” French. The “Tomahawk” was remarkably used by the US army to attack certain nuclear facilities in Iran at the end of June.
During his last meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump said he was open to the delivery of this weapons, without giving green light to this stage.
France delivered “scalp” cruise missiles to Ukraine last year. For its part, Ukraine has developed its own long -range missile, the “flaming.” She claimed a first successful shot, at the end of August in Crimea, against a building used by Russian intelligence.
Strike intensification
In recent weeks, the Ukrainian army has multiplied drone raids against oil refineries, sometimes far from Russian territory, hoping to divert Moscow’s finances. The fuel production fell into a million tons in September after the total or partial stop of six refineries, reports the Times of MoscowA Russian -speaking newspaper installed in the Netherlands since 2022, so that restrictions are imposed in certain regions such as Crimea, annexes in 2014.
According to Russian media KommersRussia lacks 400,000 tons of gasoline, or 20% of the standard monthly supply. Fuel prices have increased significantly, while gasoline exports are prohibited and now residues are imposed for diesel. The Kremlin explains this scarcity due to “programmed maintenance of oil refineries.”
At the same time, the Russian war economy shows very clear signs of deceleration. This weighs more and more in the war effort, which has been supported by the increase in the price of hydrocarbons exports. However, the courses have decreased since then and exports are limited by Western sanctions. The government recently proposed to increase VAT, from 20 to 22%, which would be equivalent to the financing of war effort by the population.
At the same time, the New York Times Keep in mind that Russian military spending is expected to decrease for the first time next year. The Kremlin is “forced to look for means to stabilize its budget,” according to Sergei Souvenirv, analyst at an investment consulting firm Moscow, cited by the New York Daily. However, the Russian army budget is three more important than that of the Ukrainian army.
Source: BFM TV
