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Trump Claims Russia Lost Control of Diesel Industry Due to Ukraine Attacks
Confirmed
In Short: U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Monday that Russia has 'unfortunately lost control' of its diesel oil industry due to its war with Ukraine, according to a post on Truth Social.
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Monday that Russia has 'unfortunately lost control' of its diesel oil industry due to its war with Ukraine, according to a post on Truth Social.
The average price of diesel surpassed $6 a gallon earlier this month, setting a new record, with the previous high of $5.82 reported in June 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine.
At the same time, Russia has launched strikes against Ukraine’s energy industry, targeting its critical infrastructure.
Trump reiterated that the 'ridiculous and never ending War with Ukraine must be ended.' He wrote that 'the whole World suffers as 25,000 people, mostly soldiers, are being killed each month.
Russia typically exports more diesel than any other country apart from the U.S., but it imposed an export ban in July that is expected to remain in place until the end of September in response to refinery damage caused by Ukraine.
Over the weekend, Ukraine launched an overnight drone and missile attack targeting Moscow on the final day of Russia’s parliamentary elections.
According to Russian officials, air defenses destroyed 1,110 Ukrainian drones in response.
This attack comes the same week Trump leaves to go to the United Nations.
While the think tank report indicates that Russia’s overall oil exports and revenue fell in August, a new Reuters report said Russia also raised diesel exports to Central Asia despite the ongoing export ban to other regions.
Trump recently blamed Ukraine for rising global diesel prices, which is likely to affect Republican’s prospects in the US’s November mid-term elections.
In turn, Russian forces have been seeking to destroy Ukraine's energy grid through mass drone and missile strikes, causing regular blackouts across the country.
The Kremlin called Trump's proposal for a pause in energy strikes a 'very good idea' but tied it to additional conditions, namely the lifting of sanctions against Russia.
What this adds
The news adds to the ongoing debate over the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on global energy markets and the potential for a ceasefire.
Sources have not established a direct link between Ukraine's attacks and the specific loss of control over Russia's diesel production.
The financial losses for the Ukrainian book industry highlight the broader economic impact of the conflict beyond just energy and military engagements.
Background
Ukraine is bracing for its toughest winter since the 2022 invasion, with Russia intensifying aerial attacks and targeting civilian infrastructure, according to a UN official.
More than half a million Russian troops have been killed since the start of the invasion, according to British intelligence, as Ukraine reports ongoing attacks and improved air defenses.
What's confirmed
- “Russia has unfortunately lost control of its Diesel Oil Industry due to its War with Ukraine,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday.
- “A large number of their Diesel refineries have been blown up and are, at least temporarily, out of commission.” Trump reiterated that the “ridiculous and never ending War with Ukraine must be ended.” “The whole World suffers as 25,000 people, mostly soldiers, are being killed each month,” he wrote.
What's still developing
- A week earlier, Trump told reporters he told the Ukrainian president “to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia,” days after claiming an energy truce between Kyiv and Moscow, though both countries tacitly denied reaching an agreement despite voicing openness to the idea.
- "There are also ideas on the table for bringing peace closer, starting with strong de-escalation steps. Ukraine's energy sector, critical infrastructure, and our food exports must stop being targets for Russia, and this will lead to matching de-escalation steps on our part," Zelensky said on X.
- According to internal analysis conducted by the military, 31% of Russia's overall force had signed up to avoid criminal charges, and 24% were in the military to improve their financial situation.
- U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff "has done a great job" in Washington-led efforts to help end the Russia-Ukraine war, Foreign Intelligence Chief Rustem Umerov told Axios.
Sources
- Denver Gazettelink
- KTULlink
- Kyiv Postlink
- Kyivindependentlink
- Türkiye Todaylink
- Ukrinformlink
- economictimes.comlink
- WarpBeat — background on General Staff: Russia has lost 1,505,380 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022 link
- WarpBeat — background on Russian Troop Casualties Reach Half a Million, Ukraine Reports More Attacks link
- CBS News — video link