KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Recent strikes on Russian oil facilities using Ukraine's newly developed long-range missiles and drones have resulted in significant gas shortages within Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that a recent counter-offensive by Ukrainian forces has disrupted Russia's ambitions to seize parts of the eastern Donetsk region.
Ukraine's new Palianytsia missile has successfully targeted numerous Russian military depots. Additionally, a Ruta missile drone recently hit a Russian offshore oil platform more than 250 kilometers (150 miles) away, marking what Zelenskyy described as "a major success" for the weapon. Swarms of Liutyi and Fire Point long-range drones, executing operations with up to 300 units, have also targeted Russian energy infrastructure. Ukrainian forces have utilized Neptune and Flamingo missile systems in their assaults against Russia.
According to Zelenskyy, these successful strikes against energy facilities have led to shortages and increased imports of fuel in Russia. He highlighted that Russia is reportedly importing gasoline, which serves as an indicator of their dwindling supply, emphasizing that Ukrainian intelligence suggests a sixfold increase in fuel imports from Belarus and shipments from China. Zelenskyy claimed that Russia has lost up to 20% of its gasoline supply in the wake of these Ukrainian attacks.
No comments have been made by Russian officials regarding the fuel shortages. These advancements in weaponry, developed and manufactured by Ukraine, mark a significant achievement for Kyiv after years of conflict with Russia, which is deploying a larger military force and economic resources to complete its invasion.
Despite receiving military support from Western allies, Ukraine has expressed frustration over restrictions imposed by the United States and European nations regarding deep strikes into Russian territory, as there are concerns about escalating the conflict. Ukraine has made considerable investments in weapon development and is becoming recognized as a global hub for defense innovation.
Zelenskyy has specifically called on the United States to provide additional long-range weaponry, including American-made Tomahawk missiles, known for their capacity to carry substantial warheads, which the U.S. has previously withheld. U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned that he has "sort of made a decision" regarding sending Tomahawks to Ukraine, without providing further details. Zelenskyy remarked that U.S. officials did not dismiss his request outright and are working on it at a technical level.
A Ukrainian delegation led by Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko is expected to visit the U.S. early next week to discuss air defense, energy cooperation, sanctions, and using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine's war efforts.
On the battlefield, Zelenskyy identified Pokrovsk and Dobropillia in the eastern Donetsk region as the areas experiencing the most intense fighting, where Ukrainian forces have conducted a counter-offensive that he described as "very difficult but very timely—and successful." He stated that this operation has thwarted Russia's summer offensive plans, indicating that Moscow's objective to occupy a substantial portion of the Donetsk region by November has failed.
Intercepted communications illustrate that Russian commanders have been instructed to capture Pokrovsk "at any cost." Zelenskyy also outlined contingency plans for protecting Ukraine's natural gas infrastructure, which has been heavily targeted by Russian strikes as winter approaches. He indicated that Ukraine has a dual strategy for energy management, with an emphasis on increasing domestic extraction and potential reliance on imports if necessary.
Overall, as the conflict intensifies, Ukraine's military strategies and innovations are playing a crucial role in its defense efforts against a significantly larger Russian military force.
