Ukraine’s Long-Range Strikes Cost Russia $7B in Oil Losses, Zelensky Says

Kyiv says expanded long-range operations are increasing downtime at key Russian energy facilities and reducing output. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied This handout satellite image released by 2026 Planet Labs PBC on April 29, 2026, shows a plume of smoke rising from the Tuapse oil refinery in the Russian port of Tuapse, south-western Russia, on April 28, 2026. (Photo by Handout / 2026 Planet Labs PBC / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday, May 1, that Ukraine’s long-range strikes have inflicted at least $7 billion in losses on Russia’s oil sector since the start of the year. Speaking on Telegram , Zelensky said Ukraine’s operations had reached a “new level” in April in terms of range, intensity and impact on Russian energy infrastructure. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . According to him, the strikes are not only hitting designated targets but also increasing facility downtime and reducing their operational capacity. Zelensky said the losses stem from direct hits, disruptions, and delays in shipments affecting Russia’s oil production and refining industry. He credited Ukraine’s Defense Forces, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and other intelligence agencies for carrying out the operations. Zelensky added that Ukraine plans to further scale up its long-range capabilities and is preparing additional decisions in this area. Ukraine has intensified long-range strikes on Russia’s oil infrastructure in recent days, targeting facilities deep inside the country. On Wednesday, Ukrainian drones struck sites in the cities of Orsk and Perm , hitting an oil refinery and a key pipeline facility. The refinery in Orsk, located about 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) from Ukraine’s border, is among Russia’s largest, with an annual processing capacity of 5-6 million tons. Explosions were also reported in Perm for a second consecutive day, with Russian authorities confirming an industrial incident involving the release of hazardous substances. Ukrainian sources said a subsequent strike caused a fire at a major refinery operated by Lukoil, while Russia later acknowledged damage to the refinery’s primary oil-processing infrastructure. Other Topics of Interest Bloomberg: Ukrainian Drone Strikes Push Russian Oil Processing to Lowest Level Since 2009 Bloomberg confirmed Ukrainian robot aircraft are systematically demolishing Russian energy infrastructure one day after Trump – confusing Ukraine with Iran – declared Ukraine “militarily defeated.” Separately, Ukraine carried out another drone strike on the Tuapse oil terminal early on Friday , marking the fourth such attack in two weeks. Russian authorities reported a fire at the site, while Ukrainian officials said the strikes had reduced the refinery’s production capacity. The facility, one of Russia’s largest, processes up to 12 million tons of oil annually and has faced repeated disruptions following recent attacks. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.