Ukraine’s long-range attacks on Russian refineries have slashed Moscow’s oil refining capacity by around 20%, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, citing intelligence from Western sources.
Zelenskyy noted that over 90% of these deep strikes on Russian territory were carried out using Ukrainian-made long-range weapons, and called for additional foreign financial support to produce more. “We just need to work on this every day,” he told the media on Monday, in remarks embargoed until Tuesday.
Oil exports remain a major source of funding for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While Kyiv targets refineries with weapons, new sanctions from the U.S. and European Union are aimed at curbing Moscow’s oil and gas revenues.
Despite U.S.-led efforts for renewed peace, the nearly four-year conflict shows no sign of ending. The Kremlin remains uncompromising, and U.S. President Donald Trump last week announced sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, set to take effect on Nov. 21. Zelenskyy said Trump “will probably use this as a tool of pressure or dialogue with the Russians.”
Highlighting Russia’s major oil buyers, Zelenskyy said India has signaled a reduction in energy imports from Moscow. He also expressed hope that Trump’s planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea this Thursday could further cut Russian crude purchases.
Additional updates from Zelenskyy included: Ukraine has secured 70% of the $2 billion needed for winter gas imports; production of 500–800 interceptors per day is planned to counter Shahed drone attacks; Kyiv has captured 2,200 Russian POWs in six months of fighting in the east; and talks with Sweden, France, and the U.S. are ongoing to enhance Ukraine’s future combat aviation, with a request for 250 aircraft.
