The United States has been collaborating with Ukraine for several months to organize long-distance attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure.
The objective would be to undermine the Russian economy and force President Vladimir Putin to accept negotiations, according to an investigation published on Sunday by Financial Times and cited by Reuters.
American intelligence services are said to have assisted Kyiv in planning and executing drone attacks on refineries and other energy facilities deep within Russian territory. The British newspaper quotes anonymous American and Ukrainian officials familiar with the campaign.
The White House, the office of President Volodymyr Zelensky, and the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to Reuters' requests for comments. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not issue an immediate reaction either.
Moscow has recently reiterated accusations that Washington and NATO are constantly providing secret information to Ukraine. "The provision and use of the entire NATO and US infrastructure to collect and transfer information to the Ukrainians is evident," said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
Information for avoiding Russian air defense
According to FT, American intelligence helps Ukraine decide on routes, altitude, and the optimal timing of attacks, allowing drones to evade Russian air defense. Three sources confirmed to the publication that the US is closely involved in all stages of planning these missions.
An American official stated that Ukraine sets the targets, and the US provides information on their weaknesses.
Additionally, Washington is considering the possibility of providing missiles capable of targeting Russian energy infrastructure.
Two American officials cited by Reuters said that Washington has asked NATO allies to provide similar support to Ukraine, especially by sharing information about strategic targets deep within Russian territory.
Trump-Zelensky Dialogue
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Saturday a "positive and productive" conversation with US President Donald Trump, focused on Ukraine's energy and air defense.
"We discussed opportunities to strengthen our air defense... There are good options and solid ideas on how to truly reinforce ourselves," Zelensky wrote on the X platform.
G.P.