Zelenskyy: Strikes on Russian oil targets are the fastest sanctions yet
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (president.gov.ua)
Ukrainian Special Forces and drone units have dealt significant blows to key Russian oil facilities. These strikes have disrupted Russia's energy flows and substantially affected its warfighting capabilities, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
"I want to thank all our soldiers today, especially. They are inflicting substantial losses on Russia. Losses on the front lines. Losses along the border. Losses within Russia itself, thanks to our long-range strikes. The most effective sanctions — the ones that work fastest — are fire on Russian oil refineries, terminals, and storage facilities," Zelenskyy said.
He explained that these strikes have severely constrained Russia's oil industry. This, in turn, significantly limits its ability to wage war.
"Russia's war is effectively driven by oil, gas, and all other energy resources," he emphasized.
Zelenskyy also thanked the Special Forces of the Security Service of Ukraine for their recent successful operations in Prymorsk.
"The largest Russian oil terminal on the Baltic Sea has sustained significant damage. Everything has been verified. The impact is being felt by the enemy. Our Special Forces are also monitoring the port of Ust-Luga and all other Russian outlets to the global market," he said.
He noted that Security Service drones can now operate at distances exceeding a thousand kilometers.
"The Special Operations Forces, Unmanned Systems Forces, Foreign Intelligence Service, and Defense Intelligence are all active. I thank everyone for their precision," Zelenskyy concluded.
Attacks on Russian oil refineries
Ukrainian drones are increasingly hitting key Russian refineries, including those in Ufa, Ilsky, and Novoshakhtinsk. These strikes are causing fuel shortages across several Russian regions.
For instance, the Saratov oil refinery operated by Rosneft temporarily halted crude intake following a drone strike on Sunday, August 10.
On September 13, Russian media reported that strike drones attacked the Novo-Ufimsky oil refinery in Bashkortostan overnight. The facility is located approximately 900 miles (1,500 km) from the border with Ukraine.
RBC-Ukraine has released footage of the aftermath of the strike on the Russian plant, including video recorded by Russians.
Earlier, on the night of September 14, 2025, the Kirishi oil refinery (KINEF) in Russia's Leningrad region was attacked by drones.
Additionally, today sources told RBC-Ukraine that drones from Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (HUR) struck the strategic chemical plant Metafrax Chemicals in Russia's Perm Krai.
