US To Provide Intelligence Information On Energy Facilities Targets In Russia For Ukraine

Illustration of Russian oil refineries. (Wikimedia Commons/A.Sevin)

JAKARTA - The United States will provide intelligence information to Ukraine regarding Russia's long-range energy infrastructure targets, two officials said on Wednesday.

The US also asked NATO allies (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) to provide similar support, US officials told Reuters, confirming details first reported by the Wall Street Journal, as quoted October 2.

According to a US official quoted by the Wall Street Journal, approval for additional intelligence came shortly before President Donald Trump posted on social media last week showing Ukraine could retake all of its territory occupied by Russia, in a striking rhetoric shift that benefits Kyiv.

"After seeing the economic (war) problems experienced by Russia, I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight back and win the whole of Ukraine back to its original shape," wrote President Trump at Truth Social last Tuesday, shortly after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

This decision is the first policy change known to have been approved by President Trump since its rhetoric against Russia in recent weeks, in a bid to end the Moscow war that has been going on for more than three years in neighboring Ukraine.

Washington has long shared intelligence with Kyiv, but the Wall Street Journal says it will now be easier for Ukraine to attack infrastructure such as oil refineries, pipelines, and power plants with the aim of seizing Kremlin revenue and oil.

The move comes as the United States also considers Ukraine's request for a Tomahawk missile, which has a range of 2,500 km (1,550 miles) - is easy enough to reach Moscow and most Russian territory in Europe if fired from Ukraine.

Ukraine itself has developed its own long-range missile named Flamingo, but the number is not yet known as the missile is still in its early stages of production.

Meanwhile, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya quoted Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as saying the US decision to supply Ukraine with a tomahawk missile, "it will not change the situation on the battlefield."

"It is known, this is the first time the United States will provide assistance for long-range Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory against energy targets," officials told the Wall Street Journal.

Energy revenue remains the most important source of funding from the Kremlin to finance war efforts, making oil and gas exports the main targets of Western sanctions.

President Trump has urged European countries to stop buying Russian oil in exchange for his approval to impose harsh sanctions on Moscow, in a bid to stop funding for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

He has taken steps to impose additional tariffs on imports from India, to pressure New Delhi to stop buying discounted Russian crude, and lobby countries such as Turkey to stop buying oil from Moscow as well.

Yesterday, state finance minister G7 said it would take joint steps to increase pressure on Russia by targeting those continuing to increase the purchase of Russian oil and those facilitating the imposition.