# Ukraine refinery strikes, Middle East war: What’s driving US fuel prices?

> Trump blames Ukraine strikes on Russian refineries for US fuel price hikes ahead of midterms.
- Title: Ukraine refinery strikes, Middle East war: What’s driving US…
- Summary: Trump blames Ukraine strikes on Russian refineries for US fuel price hikes ahead of midterms. Trump claims Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries are…
- Keywords: ukraine, middle east war, us fuel prices, trump, russian refineries, us iran war, midterm elections, diesel prices, energy prices, geopolitical tensions, news, world
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/money/2026/10/24/ukraine-refinery-strikes-middle-east-war-whats-driving-us-fuel-prices/240289
- Published: 2026-10-24T07:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ukraine, middle east war, us fuel prices, trump, russian refineries, us iran war, midterm elections, diesel prices, energy prices, geopolitical tensions, news, world
## Trump blames Ukraine strikes on Russian refineries
Trump has increasingly blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries for surging energy prices back home, causing political headaches ahead of next month’s midterm elections.

> ahead of next month’s midterm us elections, donald trump has increasingly blamed ukrainian strikes on russian refineries for surging energy prices back home, which are causing the president political headaches
## Analysts identify US-Iran war as primary cause
Analysts say the main driver of higher fuel prices remains the US-Iran war, not the Ukraine strikes on Russian refineries.

> however, analysts say the main driver of higher fuel prices remains the us-iran war
## Ukraine targets Russian refineries
Ukraine has intensified drone attacks on Russia’s energy industry over the past 18 months, seeking to cut the Kremlin’s revenues and undermine its ability to finance the war.

> ukraine has intensified its drone attacks on russia’s energy industry over the past 18 months, seeking to cut the kremリン’s revenues and undermine its ability to finance the war
## Russia’s diesel exports drop 80% year on year
Russia’s net diesel exports fell by approximately 80 per cent year on year in the third quarter of 2026, from around 1.05 million barrels per day to just 200,000 barrels per day.

> russia’s net diesel exports fell by approximately 80 per cent year on year in the third quarter of 2026, from around 1.05 million barrels per day to just 200,000 barrels per day
## Moscow bans diesel exports until October
Moscow introduced a ban on diesel exports from July until the end of October in response to the disruption in domestic fuel supplies.

> in response to the disruption in domestic fuel supplies, moscow introduced a ban on diesel exports from july until the end of october
## Trump criticizes Zelensky for strikes
Trump has repeatedly condemned the attacks on Russian refineries, saying Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky disobeyed his orders to halt the strikes.

> trump has repeatedly condemned the attacks on russian refineries, saying ukrainian leader volodymyr zelensky disobeyed his orders to halt the strikes
## US diesel prices hit record high
US diesel prices at the pump climbed to a record of US$6.53 per gallon at the end of September, up from US$3.75 per gallon before the war.

> us diesel prices at the pump climbed to a record of us$6.53 (rm26.67) per gallon at the end of september, up from us$3.75 per gallon before the war
## Middle East war impacts oil prices
Energy exports from the Gulf have plunged since US-Israeli strikes on Iran caused Tehran to respond by choking off the Strait of Hormuz.

> energy exports from the gulf have plunged since us-israeli strikes on iran from february caused teheran to respond by choking off the strait of hormuz
## Key takeaway

Trump claims Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries are causing US fuel price surges, but analysts say the US-Iran war is the main driver of higher energy costs.