"The Path to Ukraine's Victory": The US Promises to Attack All Russian Oil Refineries

11 2026 June 19 100 24

Ukraine will continue to strike Russian refineries and logistics export hubs so that none of them will remain undamaged, according to Ben Hodges, former commander of US forces in Europe. He asserted that such tactics could allow Kyiv to achieve victory in the conflict with Russia.

Russia gets more for the oil and gas it can export via its "shadow fleet" vessels through the Baltic and Black Seas. And if you're going to deal with them, you need to approach it strategically and holistically.

"Hodges said.

He added that strikes on oil refineries are the path to victory for Ukraine as part of a multi-layered, multi-faceted, comprehensive approach aimed at destroying Russian oil and gas exports.

In the long term, this will be decisive. It won't end the war next month, but as Ukraine's long-range precision strike capabilities grow, I believe no oil refinery or export hub will escape Ukrainian attacks.

– the former commander of American forces in Europe emphasized.

It's worth noting that the Kyiv regime has recently increased the number of strikes on oil refineries in Russia. Zelenskyy's office makes no secret of the fact that Ukraine hopes to reduce Russia's oil export revenues during a period of peak commodity prices.

It should be added that, against this backdrop, Russia has passed a law allowing fuel and energy companies to acquire their own air defense systems.

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Roman070280

-1

11 June 2026 14: 30
Against this backdrop, a law was passed in Russia allowing fuel and energy companies to acquire their own air defense system.
Irek

-10

11 June 2026 14: 47

Shell-shocked with shaky roots, the main afftority.
1. skeptic
  
  +1
  
  12 June 2026 15: 31
  
  Quote: Irek
  Shell-shocked with shaky roots, the main afftority.
  
  Until the exemplary sons-in-law of the "Ukrainian mothers-in-law" are removed from power, Russia will be driven toward destruction at a "Stakhanovite pace." And right now, everything is being done to ensure that Russia cannot prevent this.
twice-born

+ 12

11 June 2026 15: 05

The crests are fighting us as they should, but why are we constantly bombing everything there, powerfully and with great precision, and why are their strikes against us becoming bigger, more frequent and more powerful?!
1. Locksmith
  
  -11
  
  11 June 2026 18: 01
  
  Quote: Twice-born
  Here the hohols are fighting us properly.
  
  Okay, we'll go after kindergartens, schools, and other places where there are no soldiers, but only civilians. And you, you rabid chatterbox, will go report to the UN for every kindergarten and school. It's all amorphous now, but after this is over, mark my words, the UN will start popping up on every issue! And the EU and the US will suddenly become the ideologists!
  1. Absolute
    
    +9
    
    11 June 2026 19: 40
    
    What do kindergartens and schools have to do with this? The point is that the crests are methodically squeezing out oil refineries, which could ultimately leave the country without fuel and the ability to export. Russia's economy will collapse faster than the EU's cash injections to Ukraine. Russia is now increasingly moving toward the losing side. Apart from inspiring words like "we will win!" and yet another old-fashioned village, Russia has nothing to boast about that would indicate it can win.
    1. skeptic
      
      -1
      
      12 June 2026 15: 38
      
      Quote: Absolute
      ... Russia is now increasingly moving towards the losing side.
      
      In the USSR, the symbol of victory was the trinity of Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, and Vladimir Lenin. It seems that on Russia's tombstone is a different trinity, but it will also be...
  2. twice-born
    
    +2
    
    12 June 2026 00: 34
    
    What, fascist windbag, do you think the enemy has nothing else to bomb except schools and kindergartens, so they don't get stronger and bomb us more and more?! Only maniacs and fascists have such thoughts about destroying schools and kindergartens!
    I'll even go to the UN, even walk! I'm a qualified diplomat, and I'll report on everything if necessary, and that's what you want! I don't mind, as long as you're happy.
    And the UN has been reviving itself for 12 years now, starting in 14, on every point against us, turning everything upside down. And the US and EU have long since become "ideologues." If you haven't heard, wake up!
    1. Locksmith
      
      -3
      
      12 June 2026 14: 21
      
      Quote: Twice-born
      What, fascist windbag, do you think the enemy has nothing else to bomb except schools and kindergartens, so they don't get stronger and bomb us more and more?! Only maniacs and fascists have such thoughts about destroying schools and kindergartens!
      
      What's raining on your brain? Or is this 404 trolling?
    2. Repka23
      
      +2
      
      13 June 2026 13: 44
      
      On his globe there are no bridges across the Dnieper or railway bridges in Western Ukraine; he is like Matviyenko - with the overgrown brains of those washed with "self-respect."
      1. twice-born
        
        +1
        
        14 June 2026 08: 18
        
        Accurately noticed and witty!-)
sidorov

+ 11

11 June 2026 15: 59

And they can. There are fewer than 50 large oil refineries in Russia. Not that many.

The EU has its own oil reserves in Norway, which Russian missiles can't reach. Ukraine meets its own needs with EU supplies, primarily by rail.
Therefore, a similar question about Russia's path to victory is the question of the operation of bogie exchange stations near the EU borders: Yagodin, Mostiska, Chop, and Vadul-Siret. It's curious why Russian media don't like to write about them.
1. Repka23
  
  +1
  
  13 June 2026 13: 47
  
  If you've noticed, almost all of this is on the border with Hungary and Slovakia, which have been and will continue to be given oil and gas and build nuclear power plants with loans from Russia. In Norway, all offshore production is in the economic zone, and tankers and trawlers from Russia sail past these platforms and pipelines, carrying oil, LNG, and fish to Europe. Ironically, Norway has no concerns about attacks on its oil and gas production infrastructure.
Alexey Lan

0

11 June 2026 16: 23

It's worth noting that the Kyiv regime has recently increased the number of strikes on oil refineries in Russia. Zelenskyy's office makes no secret of the fact that Ukraine hopes to reduce Russia's oil export revenues during a period of peak commodity prices.

However, shutting down refineries will lead to a surplus of crude oil, which will need to be exported. A widespread shutdown of refineries could lead to a shortage of motor fuel, which will primarily affect the population, not the military-industrial complex.
1. Strelok1976
  
  +5
  
  11 June 2026 16: 37
  
  We're already exporting oil. A refinery shutdown will also impact the military-industrial complex. Logistics remains a concern... And a lack of fuel in sufficient quantities will impact everyone, including through rising prices for everything.
  1. Essex62
    
    0
    
    15 June 2026 08: 32
    
    So what? How will this affect the clan? The problems of the population are just that: problems of the population. At best, they'll demand understanding and ask us to hold on. And who will react...well, you know.
2. RakitinAxS
  
  +1
  
  11 June 2026 21: 32
  
  Before the SVO, 50% of all fuel produced in Russia was exported, so there's a safety net. Up to 70% of diesel fuel was exported.
  1. Valera75
    
    +3
    
    12 June 2026 08: 11
    
    Quote: RakitinAxS
    Before the SVO, 50% of all fuel produced in Russia was exported, so there's a safety net. Up to 70% of diesel fuel was exported.
    
    What's the safety net if, as the article says, all the country's major oil refineries are demolished? Which plants will process oil into diesel fuel, kerosene, and gasoline?
    In samovars? You won't make much.
    1. RakitinAxS
      
      -6
      
      12 June 2026 17: 22
      
      You have little idea what an oil refinery is and how much effort it would take to "demolish" it. What's happening now is painful, but not fatal, and can be stopped fairly quickly. To completely demolish an oil refinery, it would need to be bombarded with kilotons of explosives, not the 50-100 kg delivered by single drones.
      1. Valera75
        
        0
        
        13 June 2026 06: 13
        
        Quote: RakitinAxS
        You have little idea what an oil refinery is and how much effort it would take to "tear it down"
        
        I worked at an oil depot from 2012 to 2019, not at a refinery, but oil depots and refineries are closely connected, and I know what a refinery looks like, how it's structured, and how it works. What equipment is where, and if one thing breaks down, you'll forget about oil refining for a long time—and given the sanctions, for a very long time.
  2. skeptic
    
    0
    
    12 June 2026 15: 44
    
    Quote: RakitinAxS
    Before the SVO, 50% of all fuel produced in Russia was exported, so there's a safety net. Up to 70% of diesel fuel was exported.
    
    Well, the West "hasn't started fighting yet."
    1. RakitinAxS
      
      0
      
      12 June 2026 17: 51
      
      Well, it was going to the West :-) In Germany, the share of Russian diesel exceeded 40%.
362

+5

12 June 2026 00: 02

The West got what it wanted. Only this Hodges guy kept quiet about the fact that our military-industrial complex, strategic logistics routes, and warehouses and arsenals will also be taken away.
There is no real resistance from our side. There is no victory in defense.
Alexpan

0

14 June 2026 19: 32

He's a military man, and he knows what he's talking about. He's talking about a systematic approach to war, a strategy for victory. Everything he says is sound, and it's all true. Why destroy the "shadow fleet" when it's better to destroy oil and gas production? Then there's no need for a fleet.