Inside a secretive Ukrainian team launching deep drone strikes at Russia

Ukraine's long-range drones are striking deep inside Russia, up to 1,200 miles away, hitting oil refineries and depots. NPR recently spent time with one of the Ukrainian strike teams launching drones at Russian targets.

Ukraine's drone strikes on Russian oil refineries are being carried out by secretive teams using drones made by Fire Point, a US-based company. The drones have a range of up to 1,200 miles, allowing them to strike deep inside Russia. According to NPR, one of these teams recently launched a drone from a farm field in eastern Ukraine, targeting an oil refinery. The Fire Point drones are valued at around $100,000 each.

The drone strikes on Russian oil refineries could trigger a global oil price shock, affecting gas prices and investments. If the strikes continue, oil prices could rise by as much as 10%, increasing the cost of fuel for consumers. This would have a direct impact on households, particularly those with long commutes or who rely on fuel for their businesses. The price of gasoline could increase by as much as $0.25 per gallon.

The use of drones by Ukraine is a significant escalation of the conflict, and it has historical context in the use of drones by other countries in similar conflicts. The US has been providing military aid to Ukraine, including funding for drone technology, since 2015. Insiders know that the Ukrainian military has been working to develop its drone capabilities for several years, and the recent strikes are a result of this effort. The use of drones allows Ukraine to strike back at Russia without risking significant losses.

The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the impact of the drone strikes on the global oil market. On July 15, the International Energy Agency is set to release a report on the global oil market, which will provide insight into the potential impact of the strikes. The report is expected to show a significant increase in oil prices, which could lead to a decrease in demand. Interestingly, the Fire Point drones used by Ukraine are designed to be recoverable, allowing them to be reused and reducing the cost of each strike.