Washington (TDI): The United States has approved plans to provide Ukraine with intelligence that could help it strike Russian oil and power facilities, the US media reported on Wednesday.
The move represents a significant shift in Washington’s support as it considers whether to supply Kyiv with longer-range weapons.
According to US officials, the aim is to make it easier for Ukrainian forces to hit refineries, pipelines, and power stations, infrastructure that fuels the Kremlin’s war machine, a report said. Oil and gas exports remain Moscow’s biggest source of revenue, despite heavy Western sanctions.
The US has been sharing intelligence with Kyiv since the start of the conflict, but officials said that this is the first time Washington will back potential strikes deep inside Russian territory on energy-related targets. NATO allies are being asked to provide similar support.
Read More: Russia’s Lavrov Blames Kyiv, Europe for Sabotaging Peace in Ukraine, at UNGA
President Donald Trump has also pressed European nations to cut their purchases of Russian oil. In return, he has signaled a willingness to back tougher sanctions on Moscow, part of a wider effort to deprive the Kremlin of funds for the war. Last week, Trump posted on social media that Ukraine could “win all of its land back” with Western support, marking a stronger endorsement of Kyiv’s position.
On the military side, Washington is weighing a Ukrainian request for Tomahawk cruise missiles, which have a range of 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles), enough to hit Moscow and most of Russia from Ukrainian territory. Kyiv has also begun producing its own long-range weapon, known as the Flamingo missile, though quantities remain unclear.
Russia has warned against Western backing of deep strikes inside its territory. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Moscow will continue trade with countries like Turkey if it suits their interests, despite pressure from Washington.
Read More: Pakistan Urges Diplomacy to End Russia-Ukraine War
The latest developments come as G7 finance ministers pledged on Wednesday to tighten restrictions on Russian oil sales by targeting countries and companies helping Moscow bypass sanctions.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. While Moscow insists it is a “special military operation” to stop NATO expansion, Ukraine and its allies see it as a war of conquest.
