Strikes on Russian oil refineries are not the main reason for rising fuel prices in the USA
An analysis of the US fuel market shows no direct correlation between Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries and the rise in diesel prices. Experts point to a complex set of external factors exerting pressure on the cost of petroleum products on the global market. This was reported by Minfin citing Oleksandr Parashchiy, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
Oleksandr Parashchiy, head of research at Concorde Capital, analyzed market indicators and identified an interesting pattern: during periods with no attacks on Russian oil processing facilities, diesel fuel prices in the United States showed the most dynamic growth. According to the expert, one should not equate Ukraine’s actions with the state of the American market, as the impact of such operations, if any, is more likely to contribute to price reductions rather than spikes.
Factors influencing the global fuel market
The expert emphasizes that the accusations against Kyiv, sometimes voiced in the political sphere, particularly by Donald Trump, lack a systemic evidentiary foundation. The cost of diesel in the US depends on dozens of variables, and the reaction to geopolitical events usually occurs with a certain time lag. Among the main reasons for the turbulence in September 2026, analysts point to the crisis in the Middle East and logistical complications through the Strait of Hormuz.
The role of US export policy
The situation is complicated by the fact that US oil refining companies, against the backdrop of a global deficit, prefer exporting fuel to Europe and Latin American countries, where prices are often higher. This reduces the physical volume of available diesel within the US, creating domestic price inflation. Simultaneously, domestic plants are limited in their ability to quickly increase production and processing due to scheduled maintenance and operation at maximum capacity.
Lack of consensus in the expert community
The shortage of Russian fuel on the global market also has an indirect impact on American gas stations, forcing the US to fill the gaps with its own resources. Although proponents of the theory that Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries are harmful continue to insist they are correct, the professional community has no consensus on whether these actions are the main driver of price increases. Specialists agree that the problem requires a deeper analysis without looking for a single party to blame for the global energy crisis.
Photo: Minfin
