A poll on Russia’s next oil refinery for drone strikes has appeared in the Ukrainian app Diia
A new poll has appeared in the Diia app, offering Ukrainian citizens to express their opinion on the next Russian oil refinery to be attacked by GUR and SBU drones.
Answer options:
- Lukoil refinery in Ryazan
- Rosneft refinery in Tuapse
- Gazprom Neft refinery in Omsk
- Other (you can enter your own option)
The survey will run until April 7, 2023. Its results will determine which Russian refinery will be the next target for Ukrainian drones.
Reaction of Ukrainians to the survey
The poll in Diya caused a mixed reaction in Ukrainian society. Some people believe that this gives Ukrainians an opportunity to take part in the fight against Russia and contribute to the victory. Others are concerned that such actions could lead to an escalation of the conflict and new victims. Either these polls are “out of time” and we should allow the Ukrainian Defense Forces to determine their own strategy. But this poll may also be due to the fact that Russia has recently intensified its shelling of Ukraine. The civilian population of the country believes that Russia should be punished for this, because many civilians are dying and it was Russia that came to Ukraine with the war, not vice versa, and Ukraine is obliged to use any available methods against the aggressor for its survival. Especially if the West gives no alternative but to surrender and die because Europe needs cheap energy resources.
Why is Ukraine attacking Russia’s refineries?
Ukraine strikes at Russian oil refineries for several reasons:
- Reduced fuel supplies to the Russian army: Oil refineries are key to the production of gasoline, diesel and other fuels used by the Russian army for combat operations. By attacking the refineries, Ukraine could make it much more difficult and expensive for Russian troops to supply fuel, which could negatively affect their combat capability.
- Economic damage: Refineries are an important part of the Russian economy, and their damage or destruction could lead to significant economic losses for Russia. This could put additional pressure on the Russian government and force it to look for ways to end the war.
- Political pressure: Strikes on the refinery could also have a political impact, as they demonstrate that Ukraine is capable of striking strategic Russian targets, even if they are far from the front line. This could boost the morale of Ukrainians and force Russia to reconsider its strategy for the war.
- Retaliation: Russia strikes at Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings, hospitals, and schools. The attacks on the refinery can be seen as an act of retaliation for these crimes. For a country that is defending itself against an aggressor, all methods are acceptable.
It is important to note that these strikes could result in fuel supply disruptions, which could lead to higher prices and a deterioration of the economic situation in Russia.
The position of the authorities
Ukrainian officials have not yet commented on the poll to Diia. However, an employee of the Office of the President of Ukraine, on condition of anonymity, noted that Ukraine has the right to be protected from Russian aggression, and all methods of fighting the enemy are justified.
We would like to remind you that recently it was reported that the United States is calling on Ukraine to suspend strikes on Russia’s energy sector, fearing rising oil prices and ignoring the shelling of Ukrainian infrastructure. Ukrainians took this to mean that the United States and the West did not care about the thousands of Ukrainians killed by Russians and only wanted low prices.
