A recent Financial Times report revealed that the US has quietly provided intelligence support to enable Ukraine’s long-range strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, representing a significant evolution in the strategic landscape of the war. This isn’t just about Ukraine landing successful drone or missile strikes. It’s about deliberately going after the economic base that keeps Russia’s war machine running.
According to the reporting, US intelligence has played a central role in shaping Ukraine’s route planning, timing, and target prioritization. This has allowed Ukrainian forces to bypass layers of Russian air defense and strike energy assets far beyond the frontline. Over the last few months, at least 16 of Russia’s 38 oil refineries have been hit, disrupting more than one million barrels per day of refining capacity. These strikes have forced Moscow to cut diesel exports and rely more on imports, tightening supply chains across sectors vital to its economy and military.
The operation points to a deliberate shift in US strategy. Rather than direct military engagement, the US appears to be enabling Ukraine to impose economic costs through precision strikes on energy infrastructure. These assets are crucial to financing and sustaining Russian military operations. By degrading this capacity, Ukraine is eroding the Kremlin’s ability to wage a prolonged war.
The timing is notable, too. The escalation in intelligence sharing reportedly followed a July conversation between President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, signaling a change in Washington’s willingness to support deeper strikes. This is a departure from earlier caution, signaling a move toward indirect pressure on Moscow, as opposed to direct escalation.
The operational implications are just as significant. Ukraine has combined improved domestic drone production with high-quality targeting data to achieve strategic effects once reserved for major powers. This model of intelligence-enabled, long-range strikes highlights how modern warfare increasingly relies on precision, adaptability, and economic disruption rather than massed forces alone.
In the months ahead, Russia is likely to face mounting financial pressure as repeated strikes force expensive repairs, disrupt production cycles, and strain export revenue. Even if individual facilities recover, the cumulative effect of sustained targeting will weaken Moscow’s economic resilience. This campaign is designed to shift the balance through systemic pressure on the Kremlin’s capacity to sustain its war.
References:
https://www.ft.com/content/f9f42c10-3a30-4ee1-aff7-3368dd831c8c
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/10/12/us-intelligence-helps-ukraine-strike-russian-energy-infrastructure-ft-a90789
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/13/world/europe/ukraine-drones-russia-oil-refineries.html
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