10
Loading video...
By Maya Mehrara
News Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Throughout this month, Ukraine has continued to launch debilitating attacks targeting Russia's energy sector as the war escalates amid ongoing peace negotiations.
Newsweek's map below illustrates the Russian energy infrastructure that Ukraine has hit in attacks in March.
Read More on World
Newsweek reached out to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation for comment via email.
...
Why It Matters
Following a phone call with President Donald Trump on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a limited ceasefire on attacks against energy infrastructure targets. This suggests that Kyiv's strikes on Russia's energy sites have had a lasting impact on Moscow's economy and therefore its ability to fund the war.
What To Know
Ukraine has repeatedly struck Russian facilities in the energy sector including oil refineries, depots, and oil pipelines throughout the past month, while conducting peace negotiations with Moscow and Washington.
Newsweek found that, in March, Ukraine has launched attacks on at least 14 Russian energy sites.
One of the most-significant attacks was when Kyiv conducted a drone strike on the Moscow Oil Refinery overnight on March 11, which supplies 40 to 50 percent of the capital's gasoline and diesel supplies.
Throughout the three-year war, Ukraine has been targeting Russia's energy sector in an attempt to cut off Moscow's ability to fund its military's efforts.
In 2024, Ukraine conducted more than 80 drone attacks on Russian oil refineries and depots.
The strikes on Russian energy sites have long-standing economic ramifications, as, after the drone strikes in 2024, Russia's average daily production of crude oil hit a 20-year low. This decrease in oil production not only starves Russia's ability to fund its war effort but also decreases the amount of revenue generated from one of Moscow's key exports, which yields high profits.
Sanctions have made it more difficult for Russia to repair some of these facilities due to the difficulties in importing equipment and high reconstruction costs.
What People Are Saying
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, David Sheppard, a journalist, wrote: "Does an energy infrastructure ceasefire make much sense for Ukraine? Their energy system has been hard hit, but Ukraine is emerging from winter. And they've gotten pretty good at roughing up the Russian refining sector with drone strikes, taking roughly 10% of capacity offline."
Michael Weiss, an editor at The Insider, wrote on X about the White House's press release following Trump and Putin's call: "White House readout. Note the U.S. has to get Kyiv to agree to halt bombing of *Russia's* energy infrastructure to make the 30-day ceasefire stick. Kyiv has hit the Moscow oil refinery, the Tuapse oil refinery and (just today) targeted a fuel and energy facility in Astrakhan. You might say Ukraine holds a few 'cards' in this agreement."
Garry Kasparov, vice president of the World Liberty Congress, wrote on X in January: "Eliminating the energy revenue that Russia uses to fund its war on Ukraine is the path to peace. With Russian allies like China and collaborators in Europe, sanctions won't do it alone, so these Ukrainian strikes must expand. Putin the strong leader who loves his country, sure."
What Happens Next
If Ukraine continues striking Russian energy sites after the ceasefire has concluded, it may prolong peace negotiations and, in turn, the war itself.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines