BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that Kyiv’s military has significantly expanded its ability to target Russian logistical networks across occupied Ukrainian territory, claiming that sustained attacks have weakened supply routes and contributed to fuel shortages in Crimea and other areas under Russian control.
In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy said Ukrainian forces are now capable of striking military logistics infrastructure throughout nearly the entire expanse of territory occupied by Russian forces. He argued that the growing reach of Ukraine’s long-range capabilities has made it increasingly difficult for Russian troops to move supplies, equipment and fuel safely across the battlefield.
According to the Ukrainian president, Russian military transportation routes in southern and eastern Ukraine have come under mounting pressure as Ukrainian forces continue a campaign aimed at disrupting the logistical backbone supporting Moscow’s military operations.
“Our troops are now capable of reaching Russian military logistics across virtually the entire depth of the temporarily occupied territories,” Zelenskiy said. “In practice, there are almost no safe roads left for the occupier in the south and east of our country.”
The remarks reflect Kyiv’s growing emphasis on striking infrastructure and supply networks far behind the front lines. Over recent months, Ukraine has increasingly relied on long-range drones and other precision-strike capabilities to target military facilities, fuel depots, transportation hubs and energy-related infrastructure used by Russia to sustain its war effort.
Ukrainian officials have argued that disrupting logistics is a crucial component of their broader military strategy, as it limits Russia’s ability to reinforce frontline units, transport ammunition and maintain operational momentum. The campaign has also sought to raise the economic costs of the conflict for Moscow by targeting sectors linked to energy production and fuel distribution.
Zelenskiy highlighted what he described as a series of successful strikes against Russia’s oil industry, saying Ukrainian forces had hit 15 Russian oil refineries between January and May. The attacks form part of a wider effort to undermine fuel supplies and place additional pressure on industries that generate revenue for Russia’s wartime economy.
The Ukrainian leader said the continued strikes demonstrate that Russian forces cannot expect stability in territories seized during the conflict.
“These actions provide further proof that there will be no peaceful times for the occupier on our land,” Zelenskiy said.
He added that the effects of the campaign are becoming increasingly visible in occupied regions, particularly through growing shortages of fuel and transportation difficulties. According to Zelenskiy, residents and military personnel in Crimea and other Russian-held territories have begun experiencing disruptions linked to damaged supply routes and logistical bottlenecks.
“This is also reflected in shortages, above all fuel shortages in Crimea and in other areas that remain under occupation,” he said.
Reports from Crimea on Monday indicated that motorists were facing gasoline rationing as authorities sought to manage limited fuel supplies. The restrictions followed a series of Ukrainian drone attacks that disrupted transportation routes and supply chains connecting the peninsula with other Russian-controlled areas in southeastern Ukraine.
Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, has become an increasingly important target for Ukrainian operations. Kyiv regards the peninsula as sovereign Ukrainian territory and has repeatedly stated that military facilities and infrastructure there are legitimate targets. In recent months, Ukrainian forces have intensified strikes on locations in and around Crimea, targeting airfields, military depots, naval assets and transport infrastructure.
The latest developments underscore the evolving nature of the conflict, with both sides increasingly relying on long-range weapons to strike deep behind enemy lines. While frontline fighting continues across eastern and southern Ukraine, attacks on logistics networks, energy infrastructure and supply routes have become a central feature of the war, as each side seeks to weaken the other’s ability to sustain military operations.
As the conflict enters another phase marked by expanding drone warfare and deeper strikes into contested territory, Ukrainian officials maintain that pressure on Russian logistics will remain a key element of their strategy aimed at reducing Moscow’s operational capabilities and complicating its hold over occupied regions.
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