Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a stark warning to Russia, revealing plans for an intensive 40-day “influence operation” aimed at pressuring Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the ongoing conflict. The operation is set to target Russian personnel and critical infrastructure.
Recent months have seen Kyiv escalate its offensive actions within Russian territory, utilizing mid and long-range drones to strike key locations in Moscow, resulting in significant damage to vital infrastructure. Two additional Russian oil facilities, located in Ufa and the Krasnodar region, were reportedly targeted and struck on Wednesday night, further intensifying the conflict.
Zelensky has authorized Ukraine’s security service SBU to launch a 40-day blitz against Russia, with the goal of debilitating the country and compelling Putin to end the war. The Ukrainian leader took to social media to announce the operation, emphasizing the SBU’s successful defense efforts on the front lines using various drone technologies.
Over the past several months, Ukraine has persistently targeted Russian military installations and energy sites, leading to fuel shortages and disruptions in army supply lines, effectively impeding Moscow’s advancement following years of conflict. The latest wave of drone attacks spanned 12 Russian regions, with significant assaults reported in Crimea, the Azov, and the Black Sea regions.
Zelensky disclosed that Russia is reinforcing its air defenses in key areas such as Moscow, Valdai, and the Kerch Bridge, a critical supply link connecting Crimea to the Russian mainland. He highlighted the concentration of air defense launchers in the Moscow region and the redeployment of launchers to Valdai from various parts of Russia.
Ukrainian drones have targeted major Russian cities, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as aiming to sever supply routes to Crimea, which Russia forcibly annexed in 2014. Zelensky emphasized that the evolving air defense strategies in Russia could leave vulnerable areas exposed to Ukraine’s advanced long-range drone capabilities, capable of covering distances exceeding 930 miles.
