By John Q. Hosedrinker 
On Saturday, Ukrainian anti-corruption bodies announced the discovery of a corruption scheme involving the procurement of military drones and signal jamming systems at inflated prices. The agencies, NABU and SAPO, identified a lawmaker, officials, and national guard personnel receiving bribes in exchange for awarding contracts at inflated costs, with kickbacks reaching up to 30%. This revelation comes just days after the agencies’ independence was restored following widespread protests against a move to diminish their authority. President Zelenskyy has expressed a commitment to zero tolerance for corruption and the importance of just sentences, signaling the significance of the investigation.
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Ukraine: Kyiv says it hit Russian oil, military facilities, and this is a big deal because it strikes at the heart of Russia’s economy. Honestly, it’s a little surprising it took this long. Oil and gas production is what props up a significant portion of the Russian economy. If the videos are accurate, and a mushroom cloud is any indication, the impact is massive. It’s hard not to see this as a win if it hinders Russia’s ability to annex more of Ukraine.
This isn’t just a one-off. Ukraine has been hitting Russian refineries and oil storage containers, and we’re talking about dozens of different ones. Some of these strikes have targeted refinery towers, which are custom-made and imported, taking a year or more to replace. The fact that these facilities are legitimate military targets makes it all the more understandable.
Hitting these targets is a part of the war, even though war itself is terrible. It’s just a fact of life. Now, it wouldn’t be a surprise if certain figures in the West, like Trump, would try to intervene and calm things down. This is especially true when you consider how much damage Ukraine has already inflicted on Russia’s oil infrastructure. There was a pause in those attacks, possibly due to pressure from the West to pursue peace talks, and also to prevent rising fuel costs. Now, with those talks apparently going nowhere and some Western figures expressing their frustration with Russia, Ukraine seems to be resuming attacks on oil facilities.
The Russian economy is very much like a glorified gas station, and those facilities are what keep it running. So, while Russia has a lot of refineries, the Ukrainian strikes have managed to reduce oil output by a good amount, maybe 15-20%. It’s definitely news because it’s new, and people are interested in what’s happening in the war. That interest is what drives clicks, whether it’s about something good or bad.
The news, whether you like it or not, is often full of anger-inducing topics. This is a reminder that sometimes there is actually a good thing happening, if, for example, Ukraine is successful in disrupting Russia’s ability to fund its war machine. Of course, there will be those who suggest we shouldn’t report on it at all.
It’s important to understand that oil and gas production facilities are indeed legitimate military targets. Over the past few years, Ukraine has launched attacks on these Russian assets. They’ve been deploying long-range drones, and while not all of them make it through, some always do.
The impact of these strikes can be seen in several ways. A major fire will certainly attract attention and, of course, the immediate reaction will be from Russian state media, who will downplay it. There’s also the international implications, as countries like China and India are large buyers of Russian oil. Any reduction in supply can affect global prices. And let’s not forget the role of OPEC in stabilizing prices.
Russia’s nuclear arsenal is also worth remembering here. It’s bigger than the West’s. And while there might be doubts about functionality, the nuclear arsenal is likely one of the most well-funded parts of the Russian military. The reality is, Russia prioritizes what it needs to. So, it is a dice roll for anyone trying to stand in their way.