Ukraine has intensified its long-range drone campaign against Russian oil refineries, aiming to cripple the war effort and pressure Vladimir V. Putin to reconsider the ongoing conflict. The strategy is twofold: to disrupt Russia’s supply chain and to send a strategic message that the war is taking a toll on its economy. Despite the distance from the front lines, Ukrainian drone operators are taking significant precautions, including wearing protective gear, to avoid detection and potential retaliation by Russian forces.
The drone campaign is part of a broader effort to leverage economic pressure as a tool in the conflict. By targeting critical infrastructure, Ukraine hopes to weaken Russia’s logistical capabilities and impose financial strain, which could potentially influence Putin’s decisions. The effectiveness of this strategy remains under scrutiny, as the long-term impact on Russia’s economy and the war’s trajectory is still uncertain.