Ukrainian authorities say recent long-range strikes and targeted operations have inflicted significant damage on Russian energy infrastructure and disrupted Moscow’s oil logistics, a development Kyiv hopes will further weaken Russia’s ability to finance the war.
Speaking after a briefing on frontline operations, President Volodymyr Zelensky credited Ukrainian special forces with a recent operation against Primorsk, which he described as “the largest oil terminal in Russia on the Baltic Sea.” The strike, he said, caused “substantial damage” and was verified by Ukrainian services. Zelensky added that Ukraine’s special units now monitor the port of Ust-Luga and other Russian export points.
“The most effective sanctions — the sanctions that work fastest — are fire on Russian oil plants, their terminals, [and] fuel depots,” he said, arguing that strikes on energy facilities have “substantially limited the Russian oil industry, and this significantly restricts the war.”
He framed Russia’s offensive as “a function of oil, gas and other energy resources” and said depriving Moscow of those revenues is crucial.
Zelensky also thanked the Security Service’s special-purpose units for recent operations and praised Ukraine’s growing domestic defense industry.
The president said Ukrainian unmanned systems now have extended reach.
“Now SSU drones are able to operate at distances of more than a thousand kilometres,” he said, and he named a range of forces involved in recent deep-strike activity, including Special Operations Forces, the Unmanned Systems Forces, the Foreign Intelligence Service, and military intelligence.
He also thanked units for battlefield gains, mentioning advances near the state border in Sumy region and significant losses inflicted on Russian forces in Kharkiv and Donetsk areas.
Zelensky paid tribute to frontline units by name, thanking soldiers of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment, the 71st Jaeger Brigade and others — and noting the 1st, 225th and 425th separate assault regiments along with the 79th and 82nd airborne assault brigades for repelling Russian assaults.
“Our units continue to push toward the state border and we continue operations in the Dobropillia direction.”
The president closed by stressing Ukraine’s readiness to share defensive know-how with partners and warning of Russia’s regional ambitions.
“We are ready to teach such defence to all partners,” he said, noting Kyiv’s assessment that Russian forces have also been probing NATO countries.
He contrasted NATO air defences with Ukraine’s own layered — and comparatively low-cost — responses to Shahed and Geran-type drones, urging continued support and rapid action.
