The Russian economy suffers more from strokes on refinery than from sanctions - CNN

As a result of Ukraine's attacks in Russian oil refineries, the global increase in oil prices has already become a world. In particular, Brent fuel has increased by almost 13%. Drops of Ukrainian drones at the Russian refinery factories more significantly affect the Russian economy than the sanctions of the Western countries. This is discussed in CNN, whose authors refer to a source close to the Ukrainian drone program.

It is noted that Ukrainian drones have begun to attack Russian refineries with increasing range and more advanced opportunities. In addition, part of these drones is equipped with the basic form of artificial intelligence. At the same time, the interlocutor of the publication says that the Ukrainian side, together with partners, develops a plan of flights, and the use of AI makes it possible to impress goals "up to a few meters".

Also, CNN with reference to several surveyed experts writes that most often Ukraine attacks the drones not fuel storage, but distillation units, where crude oil is converted into fuel after processing. According to experts, such attacks can have a stronger effect on the state of the Russian economy than sanctions. The situation was commented on the RBC Capital Markets Investment Bank employee Helim Kroft.

In her opinion, if you think about sanctions that have been imposed until recently, they have not mostly influenced the Russian energy complex. However, Russia should continue the war in Ukraine through energy exports, crude oil, natural gas and oil refining products. The attacks of Ukraine on Russian refineries have already caused the growth of world oil prices: this year alone, the price of Brent oil increased by almost 13%.

Officials in the United States are concerned about the world economy due to these blows, but "a deadlock in Washington regarding Ukraine's financing and the possibility of changes in the White House in 2024 are able to give Kiev some freedom of action," the publication said. It should be reminded that on March 23 drones attacked an oil refining plant located in Samara region of Russia.