Rubio: Ukraine May Have Unintentionally Struck U.S.-Linked Oil Infrastructure

Secretary of State Marco Rubio alleged Tuesday that Ukraine has targeted U.S.-linked oil infrastructure in recent weeks amid its war with Russia, though he suggested the strikes were likely unintentional. Rubio made the remarks during an interview with Fox News.

"The one thing we are concerned about, however, is that over the last few months, on a number of occasions, American-linked ships, American oil supplies have been targeted, probably not deliberately, but targeted nonetheless by Ukraine," Rubio stated. "And so that's something that needs to be addressed."

Rubio, who also attributed rising oil prices to conflicts in the Black Sea and Yemen, did not specify which incidents he was referencing. However, Ukraine has conducted strikes on the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, which contains export facilities for the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. American oil giants Chevron and ExxonMobil are among the consortium's major shareholders.

The remarks came ahead of a meeting scheduled for Tuesday between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Rubio expressed support for the concept of an energy infrastructure ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, an idea that Zelenskyy also called for on Monday. "We think that would be a great idea, an energy infrastructure of cease fire, in which you're not- Ukraine's infrastructure is not being targeted. Russian energy supplies are not being targeted as well. It's an ideal outcome," Rubio said.

Ukrainian officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Rubio's claims. Russian energy supplies have also faced targeting amidst the ongoing conflict. Smoke was observed rising behind buildings in Dzerzhinsky, Moscow region, following a reported Ukrainian drone attack on September 20, 2026.