Christie U. Omonigho with Oilprice
Ukrainian forces have hit and damaged the Moscow Oil Refinery and a Druzhba oil pipeline facility in Oryol Oblast in a fierce overnight drone attack Monday, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces were said to have reported. Oilprice also reported the Ukrainian officials as saying that the giant refinery–capable of processing 11 million metric tons of oil per year and covers nearly half of Moscow’s gasoline and diesel supplies–was hit multiple times, although Gazprom Neft, which owns the refinery declined response to a media request for comment, Oilprice Alex Kimani said.
Further reporting the General Staff as saying that the operation “struck a number of Russian strategic objects, enabling armed aggression against Ukraine.” Ukraine late last month was reported to have launched targeted attacks on industrial and military facilities in “Russia’s rear in a bid to undermine Moscow’s ability to wage its war.”
Adding that the attacks were even coming on the heels of a delegation of U.S. officials who were in Saudi Arabia for peace talks with Ukraine. Energy Window International has also gathered from Oilprice that the Ukrainian officials even revealed that Kyiv was planning to propose a ceasefire in the sea and sky during the truce meeting, with Trump telling reporters he believed the talks would result in a lot of progress.
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was reported to have earlier declined a proposal by Trump to acquire approximately 50% of Ukraine’s rare earth mineral rights, said to be valued at several trillion dollars. Ukraine’s mineral reserves include lithium, titanium and graphite, which are essential for high-tech industries. The proposal was delivered by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as part of a bid to compensate Washington for assistance to Kyiv, Oilprice reported. Adding that Trump had suggested that Ukraine owed the United States $500 billion worth of resources for its past military support.
Zelenskyy however is reported to be seeking better terms, including U.S. and European security guarantees. Trump’s initial proposal report say did not include provisions for future assistance, that which to Zelenskyy, cannot be done without. Meanwhile Zelenskyy’s team was reported to have earlier this month announced development of an offer for a mineral partnership in exchange for security guarantees.