US president Donald Trump on Monday blamed Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil refineries, rather than the war in Iran, for pushing up gasoline prices, while also criticising Democrats over refinery closures in the United States.In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “What’s driving up Gasoline is no longer the Strait of Hormuz, because Record Numbers of Barrels are coming out now on an almost daily basis, but the word, “Refineries,” where Russia’s are being blown up by Ukraine..”. He claimed that US refineries were also being shut down in Democratic-led states such as California, blaming the closures on ‘Dumocrats’.Trump’s remarks came as Ukraine continued its long-range strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. Kyiv has said recent attacks have disabled more than half of Russia’s oil refining capacity, although the claim could not be independently verified.The Russian defence ministry said strikes on refineries in Moscow, Yaroslavl, Ust-Luga, Perm, Saratov and Syzran had disabled 51 per cent of the country’s refining capacity.Ukrainian defence minister Yevhenii Khmara said on Monday that, “Fifty-one percent of struck refining capacity is a significant blow to the enemy’s economy, to its ability to carry out aggression and supply its troop groupings. Our deep strikes continue to bring the war to Russian territory.”Russia has faced fuel supply problems following repeated Ukrainian attacks. The International Energy Agency said diesel output had fallen by about 30 per cent, while drivers had faced waits of up to 40 hours at petrol stations. Some Russian refineries have been hit multiple times, forcing emergency repairs and operational changes.Russian president Vladimir Putin acknowledged the economic impact on October 1, saying the attacks had cost Russia roughly 1 per cent of GDP. “They started attacking oil refineries and openly declared the goal of damaging our economy. Did they achieve their goal? Partially,” Putin said.The attacks have also affected global fuel markets, with Russia banning diesel exports. Trump had urged Ukraine on September 13 to stop targeting Russian refineries.Meanwhile, Russian strikes continued across Ukraine. Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov said a Russian guided bomb killed at least three people and wounded 39, including three children. Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 205 drones overnight, of which 172 were shot down or suppressed.Ukraine also reported a Russian drone attack on a commercial vessel in the Black Sea that later sank. Romanian authorities said two people died and 11 crew members were rescued.
