Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asserted that strikes on Russian oil facilities by Ukraine’s newly developed long-range missiles and drones are causing significant gas shortages in Russia.
He asserted that Ukraine’s new Palianytsia missile has hit dozens of Russian military depot. The Ruta missile drone, meanwhile, recently struck a Russian offshore oil platform more than 250 kilometers (150 miles) away in what the Ukrainian President called “a major success” for the new weapon.
Zelenskyy also revealed that swarms of Liutyi and Fire Point long-range drones, up to 300 units in one operation, have hit Russian energy facilities, and Ukrainian forces recently fired Neptune and Flamingo missile systems at Russia.
He noted that Russian fuel shortages and higher imports indicate that Ukraine’s attacks are working. “The main thing is that (Russia is) now importing gasoline — that’s a signal,” he said.
Ukrainian intelligence reports show Russia has boosted imports from Belarus sixfold and removed import duties, while also bringing in fuel from China. “According to our data, they’ve lost up to 20% of their gasoline supply — precisely after our strikes,” Zelenskyy averred.
The successes with weapons designed and manufactured by Ukraine are a welcome development for Kyiv after more than three years of fighting Russia’s invasion, as Moscow deploys its bigger army and economic resources in an attempt to crush its neighbor.
Ukraine has received Western military aid but has been frustrated by restrictions imposed by the United States and European allies on deep strikes into Russia, out of fear of escalating the war.
Ukraine has poured huge efforts into weapons development and has fast become a global center for defense innovation.
Zelenskyy said that he wants the United States to provide Ukraine with additional long-range weapons, specifically naming American-made Tomahawk missiles that can carry large warheads but which Washington has previously refused to provide.
US President, Donald Trump, who has been frustrated in his efforts to end the war by Russian objections, said earlier this week that he has “sort of made a decision” on whether to send Tomahawks to Ukraine
Zelenskyy accused Russia of wanting to sow “chaos” in Ukraine by launching strikes on his country’s energy grid and railway infrastructure.
Moscow, whose forces invaded Ukraine in 2022, have in recent weeks escalated aerial attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities and rail systems.
On the battlefield, Zelenskyy said that the most intense fighting remains around Pokrovsk and Dobropillia in the eastern Donetsk region, where Ukrainian troops have launched a counter-offensive operation he described as “very difficult but very timely — and successful.”
He stated that this operation derailed Russia’s summer offensive campaign, adding that what he said was Moscow’s plan to occupy much of the Donetsk region by November had failed.
He added that Russian Commanders have been ordered “to take Pokrovsk at any cost,” citing intercepted Russian military communications.
The Ukrainian military disclosed that it had struck the Korobkovsky gas processing plant and oil transport infrastructure in Russia’s Volgograd region overnight.
The Russian defence ministry also said that its forces had struck port facilities and energy infrastructure in Ukraine’s Odesa region that were used by the Ukrainian army.
Zelenskyy Points Out Ukraine’s Contingency Plans
Moreover, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine has contingency plans to protect its natural gas infrastructure, which has been the target of heavy Russian attacks in recent weeks as winter approaches.
“We have Plan A and Plan B.Plan A is to rely more on our own extraction. Plan B … is to switch to imports. We understand the volumes, the cost of those imports, and where to get the necessary funds.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Meanwhile, a delegation led by Prime Minister, Yuliia Svyrydenko is due to travel to the US early next week for talks.
Zelenskyy stated that the topics for discussion include air defense, energy cooperation, sanctions and the use of frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s war effort.
The Ukrainian President added that he believes that Trump “very much wants” to see a ceasefire and end to Ukraine’s war with Russia.
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