Brent crude futures fell to around $69 per barrel on Thursday as investors took profits after a rally to a seven-week high. The earlier gains were driven by government data showing a decline in US crude inventories, defying market expectations. The surprise drop further amplified ongoing supply concerns from Ukraine’s intensified drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, which have caused fuel shortages and raised the risk of export restrictions. Additional support came from the continued suspension of Kurdish oil exports amid debt disputes and NATO’s warning of a robust response to Russian airspace incursions. Still, with peak demand season fading, oversupply concerns persist, even as analysts note that global oil demand growth remains close to expectations despite slightly undershooting earlier projections.