Ukraine Should Continue Striking Russian Oil Refineries, Former US Envoy Kellogg Says

According to a report by Kyiv Post on Sunday, October 11, 2026, Ukraine should sustain its long-range attacks on Russian oil refineries, as Moscow’s offer to supply diesel to the United States and international markets may be an attempt to ease pressure on its energy sector, retired US General Keith Kellogg has said.

Kellogg, a former US special envoy for Ukraine, made the remarks during an interview with Fox News, arguing that Russian President Vladimir Putin could have strategic motives behind the proposed diesel shipments.

According to Kellogg, Moscow may be seeking to use energy supplies as leverage in diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the war, potentially encouraging Washington to pressure Kyiv to halt its attacks on Russian oil infrastructure.

He warned that the proposal should not be viewed solely as an effort to increase fuel supplies, suggesting that Russia could also be attempting to protect its domestic energy facilities from continued Ukrainian strikes.

“I would tell Vladimir Putin: thank you very much, that really helps us. But I would look at the ulterior motives behind why he’s arranging diesel shipments to the US and to the international market,” Kellogg said.

He argued that the Kremlin could be hoping Washington would use ongoing negotiations to persuade Ukraine to suspend its campaign against Russian refineries.

Kellogg also expressed distrust of Putin and Kirill Dmitriev, the Kremlin’s special representative for economic affairs, questioning the intentions behind Russia’s proposed energy arrangements.

“The Russians are trying to tell the Ukrainians and the Americans: enough attacking our oil refineries,” he said.

However, Kellogg maintained that Ukraine should not stop the attacks, describing them as a legitimate part of its military campaign against Russia.

“The Ukrainians will not do this; they will continue attacking, as they should. This is a military operation, this is a war and they are attacking correctly,” he added.

The former US envoy also drew a distinction between the targets selected by Ukrainian and Russian forces during the conflict.

He argued that Ukraine’s long-range strikes are directed primarily at facilities linked to Russia’s military-industrial complex, including oil refineries that support the country’s energy sector and broader war effort.

By contrast, Kellogg accused Russian forces of repeatedly targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, including schools and churches.

His comments come amid continued efforts to end the war, with energy supplies and attacks on critical infrastructure remaining important issues in the wider conflict.

Ukraine has increasingly relied on long-range strikes against Russian energy facilities as part of its efforts to disrupt Moscow’s ability to finance and sustain its military campaign. Such attacks can affect refinery operations, fuel production and domestic energy supplies, while also putting pressure on Russia’s oil-dependent economy.

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