Zelenskyy reveals Russia's losses from long-range Ukrainian drone strikes
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Russia has lost at least $7 billion since the start of 2026 due to long-range strikes by Ukrainian drones, stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"According to the most conservative estimates, since the beginning of the year, the aggressor state has lost at least $7 billion solely as a direct result of our precise sanctions against Russia’s oil industry and refining sector – due to direct hits, downtime, and delays in shipments," Zelenskyy wrote.
The President noted that, as of April, Ukraine’s "long-range sanctions" have reached a new level across three components: reducing Russia’s oil revenues, increasing the distance, and intensifying the strikes.
"It is important that not only is the target itself reached, as defined by the operational objective, but that the downtime of the target is increased or, at the very least, its operations are significantly reduced," he noted.
Based on the results from April, our long-range sanctions have reached a new level across three components: reducing Russia’s oil revenues, as well as the range and intensity of sanctions. It is important that not only is the target itself reached, as defined by the operational… pic.twitter.com/ZICHOxsABU
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 1, 2026
Zelenskyy announced plans to scale up Ukraine’s long-range capabilities, adding that relevant decisions are already being prepared.
Ukraine's long-range strikes
Strikes on Russia’s oil infrastructure are part of Ukraine’s strategy to reduce the country's revenues from energy exports.
Zelenskyy recently highlighted critical losses at Russia’s oil ports, stressing that Ukrainian strikes and "long-range sanctions" are significantly reducing the enemy’s exports.
In recent days, the intensity of attacks on distant targets has increased. In particular, Ukrainian drones struck one of Russia’s largest oil refineries located more than 1,500 kilometers from Ukraine’s border. The fire has not been extinguished for a long time.
Additionally, new satellite images have emerged showing the aftermath of the third strike on the Tuapse refinery this month, confirming serious damage to the facility’s infrastructure.
