Ukraine's long-range strikes on Russian oil facilities cost Moscow at least $2.3 billion in March alone, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address.
"Our long-range sanctions keep working — I am grateful to all our soldiers for their accuracy," Zelenskyy said. He put the March figure at "at least 2 billion 300 million dollars" in Russian oil losses from Ukrainian long-range fire and noted the campaign was continuing into April.
Units named
Zelenskyy singled out several formations for their role in the strikes: the 1st Separate Centre of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the 98th Reconnaissance Centre of the Special Operations Forces, the 19th Missile Brigade, the 360th Separate Coastal Missile Brigade, as well as the Security Service of Ukraine and military intelligence. He thanked "each and every one who is working to ensure that Russia's capabilities decrease and that our security — Ukraine's security — increases," according to Tsenzor.NET.
The president said he had spoken with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi about the campaign. "We will continue our long-range sanctions against Russia for this war," Zelenskyy said.
US sanctions backdrop
The statement comes as Washington moves on Russian oil sanctions.The US Treasury Department announced the removal of a number of individuals and entities from the Russia-related sanctions list. The United States also issued a 30-day authorisation for countries to purchase sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products currently on tankers at sea, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent describing the step as a measure to stabilise global energy markets unsettled by the war with Iran.
US sanctions on Russian oil came back into force after the Trump administration did not extend a waiver introduced in connection with the war against Iran over the weekend, the outlet reports. Russia may have earned about $2 billion from oil sales during the temporary easing of sanctions, and Washington does not plan to extend the corresponding licences. On 18 April, the US Treasury issued a licence permitting the seaborne purchase of Russian oil and petroleum products for 30 days, despite earlier statements.
