Ukraine's drone campaign against Russia's energy industry has been a strategic move to disrupt Moscow's war efforts. Since August, Ukraine has launched at least 58 attacks on key Russian energy sites, including refineries, pumping stations, storage depots, and export terminals, with drones traveling up to 2,000 km into Russian territory. This campaign aims to create shortages of essential products like gasoline and diesel within Russia, making it harder for Moscow to maintain its military operations on the front lines. The impact is evident in rising domestic fuel prices and sporadic queues at filling stations. Despite Russia's energy industry not being under critical threat, the repeated strikes on refineries have caused significant disruptions, reshaping Russia's energy trade and forcing the country to export more crude oil. Ukraine's strategy involves using long-range drones, such as the Liutyi and FP-1, to deliver explosives to targets, often accompanied by decoys to confuse Russian air defenses. The frequency of these attacks has increased since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, and the range and payload capabilities of drones continue to grow. The Ukrainian campaign has also had economic repercussions for Russia, with oil and gas sales accounting for a significant portion of the country's revenue. As a result, the Russian government is facing a decline in revenue, and the country's economy is experiencing a slowdown. The situation is further complicated by the shifting political landscape in the U.S., where the Trump administration's unpredictable approach has created uncertainty for Ukraine's support. Despite this, Ukraine's drone campaign remains a potent strategy to weaken Russia's energy sector and disrupt its war efforts.
