Ukraine Could Destroy Belarusian Refineries, Says Former Ambassador, Highlighting Strategic Impact.

Ownership and Control of Belarus's Oil Refineries

According to Espreso.tv: In a recent interview, former Ukrainian diplomat Roman Bezsmertnyi addressed the issue of who controls Belarus's oil refineries and how that affects oil supplies to both Russia and Europe. He pointed out that the Mozyr and Novopolotsk refineries are currently under the ownership of Igor Sechin, the head of Rosneft. A critical detail is that three-quarters of the fuel produced by these two facilities is shipped to Russia.

Bezsmertnyi, who served as Ukraine's ambassador to Belarus from 2010 to 2011, shared his views on whether Ukraine could exert control over these plants. He stated:

“How likely is it that Ukraine could take out these two facilities? There are no problems in that regard.” - Roman Bezsmertnyi

This remark reflects the diplomat's confidence in Ukraine's capacity to respond to the situation involving Belarusian oil refineries.

Geopolitical Dynamics

Bezsmertnyi also highlighted the deep integration of Belarus's military-industrial complex into Russia's system, noting:

“As for any component of Belarus's defense industry, it has long been integrated into the Russian system.” - Roman Bezsmertnyi

These comments paint a broader picture of the geopolitical relationships among Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.

Additionally, on June 23, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow is prepared to use a full range of measures to ensure Belarus's security. Bezsmertnyi emphasized that 'Ukraine has been able to do this since the start of Russian aggression,' pointing to longstanding security concerns in the region.

As a result, the question of controlling Belarusian oil refineries remains a pressing and significant issue in the context of oil supplies to Russia and Europe, while also shaping relations between these nations.

Understanding who controls Belarus's oil refineries is key to grasping regional energy policy, as it directly impacts oil flows that matter to both the Russian and European economies. Bezsmertnyi's statements about potential Ukrainian action signal an intensifying debate over Kyiv's strategies for countering Russian aggression and strengthening its international standing. These developments could have far-reaching consequences for the geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe, especially given the integration of Belarusian industry into Russia's economic framework.