Ukraine Forms Long-Range Command to Intensify Strikes on Russian Economic Targets

Ukraine is establishing a dedicated "long-range impact" command within its armed forces to intensify strikes deep inside Russia, a strategic shift aimed at crippling Moscow's economic ability to sustain its war effort. The announcement by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy formalizes an ongoing campaign that has increasingly targeted Russia's critical energy and logistics infrastructure.

In a national address, Zelenskiy stated he signed a decree to create the special command. "This command must focus 100% of available resources on further reducing Russia’s capacity to wage war," he said, framing the strategy as a direct response to the conflict.

Economic Consequences Mount

The impact of Ukraine's long-range drone campaign is already being felt across the Russian economy. Moscow recently banned diesel exports to address a fuel crisis in occupied Crimea and significant shortages in other regions. The strikes have had a direct effect on production, with key economic indicators showing strain:

• Domestic gasoline output has fallen to approximately 65% of capacity, according to industry sources and Reuters calculations.
• Numerous refineries, including the Ilsky facility in Krasnodar and the Ust-Luga complex in the Leningrad region, have been forced to suspend operations at various points after being hit.
• Ukrainian forces also reported recent successful strikes on an oil terminal and depot in the Rostov region.

Disruption to Key Shipping Routes

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Beyond refineries, Ukrainian attacks are disrupting vital commodity export routes. Robert Brovdi, Ukraine’s drone forces commander, said that strikes had damaged nearly 50 fuel vessels in five days, including 10 tankers in the Sea of Azov, claiming Moscow's "shadow fleet is shrinking."

In response to the heightened risk, Russia temporarily halted shipping through a key channel linking the Don River with the Sea of Azov, according to two grain export industry sources. This single decision could impact nearly one-quarter of Russian wheat exports from the area, posing another significant blow to a primary source of state revenue.

Strategic Outlook

This new command marks a significant evolution from the earlier stages of the war, demonstrating Ukraine's growing capability to project force deep into Russian territory. Kyiv officials have characterized the strikes as a form of "long-range sanctions" designed to bring the economic consequences of the war back to Russia.

While the successful strikes are damaging Russia's economy, military experts caution that it is too early to determine if Ukraine has turned the tide of the conflict. Ukraine remains highly exposed to Russian ballistic missile attacks, which Zelenskiy has described as Moscow's last major advantage.