Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv’s forces were working to expand their long-range strikes inside Russia, with their sights set on oil refineries, the pumping heart of Moscow’s war economy.
Russia relies on its vast revenues from oil production to help sustain its ongoing war with Ukraine. The largest purchaser of Russian oil is China, its key strategic partner.
Kyiv’s recent strikes on major refineries and processing plants have disrupted Russian production, and new U.S. and European Union sanctions will add pressure on Moscow to end the war.
But Russian President Vladimir Putin said the sanctions could backfire by increasing oil prices, including at the pumps for consumers in the West.
Zelensky Says Russia Will Pay Bigger Price
Zelensky said he had chaired a meeting on Monday with people involved in the production and use of Ukraine’s long-range weapons.
“We reviewed the effectiveness of our long-range strikes over a defined period and the results achieved,” Zelensky said in a post on X. “Russian oil refining is already paying a tangible price for the war—and will pay even more. We set tasks to expand the geography for the use of our long-range capabilities.”
Kyiv had hoped to secure long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles from the U.S. to intensify its attacks on Russian oil targets. But U.S. President Donald Trump has not agreed to sell Tomahawks to Ukraine, concerned about escalating a war he is trying to end.
Instead, Ukraine is trying to expand its domestic supply of long-range missiles and drones, and secure more such weapons from its European partners.
China, India Curb Russian Oil Purchases
There are signs that the increased pressure on Russia’s oil industry is having an impact.
Trump hit India with an additional 25 percent tariff for continuing to purchase Russian oil.
New Delhi has since indicated it will curtail its purchases.
Four major state-owned Chinese oil companies had also temporarily halted their purchases of Russian oil after the new U.S. sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Reuters reported.
Putin Blasts Trump’s ‘Unfriendly Act’
Putin called Washington’s move an “unfriendly act” that could backfire by spiking global oil prices.
Speaking to reporters in Moscow, Putin acknowledged that the “serious” U.S. sanctions will have “certain consequences” for Russia but maintained that they will not significantly impact its economy.
“A sharp reduction in the amounts of our oil and oil products sent to global markets will lead to price increases,” he said, adding that consumers at U.S. gas stations will feel the impact.
Putin added: “Such action by the U.S. administration certainly damage Russia-U.S. relations. It’s an attempt to exert pressure on Russia, but no self-respecting country and self-respecting people make any decisions under pressure.”
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
