Instead of striking Russian oil refineries, Ukraine should focus on attacking other targets. Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said this, Bloomberg reports.

Austin believes that Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries could have consequences for the global energy situation. According to him, it is "more profitable" for Ukraine to attack other targets.

"These strikes could have consequences for the global energy situation. It is more beneficial for Ukraine to attack tactical and operational targets that can directly affect the current struggle," Austin said during a meeting of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

This statement by the Pentagon chief was criticized by Republican Senator Tom Cotton. He accused the administration of US President Joe Biden of hindering Ukraine's effective actions for domestic political reasons.

"It seems to me that the Biden administration doesn't want gas prices to go up in an election year," Cotton said.