Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on 24 June that drones operated by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) have successfully struck more than 30 oil refineries, terminals, and depots in Russia.
Zelenskyy said this during his address to the SBU’s Center for Special Operations “A” on its 30th anniversary.
“More than 30 oil refineries, terminals, and oil depots of the terrorist state have already been hit. For SBU drones, even a distance of one and a half thousand kilometers is no longer a problem,” Zelenskyy said.
The president emphasized that these achievements, combined with the successes of the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) and the Armed Forces, represent significant results that bring Ukraine closer to a just end to the war.
Zelenskyy praised the Center for Special Operations “A” as “rightfully one of the best combat units in Ukraine.” He stressed the importance of Ukrainians knowing about and appreciating the CSO’s efforts in “reducing Russia’s economic potential that works for the war – for strikes on Russian oil refining.”
The president said, “Your combat results have positively influenced all the strategic battles of this war,” highlighting the strategic impact of these operations.
The reported attacks on Russian oil infrastructure could affect Russia’s ability to fuel its military operations and generate revenue from oil exports. However, the full extent of the damage and its impact on Russian capabilities remain unclear from the information provided.
Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, said in a recent interview for The Philadephia Inquirer that drone strikes on Russian oil refineries may not be decisive in the war but could have significant economic and psychological impacts.
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