Ukraine Launches Long-Range Missile Campaign Against Russian Infrastructure

As part of a 40-day operation to compel Russia toward peace, Volodymyr Zelenskyy expanded Ukraine's long-range strike campaign using domestically developed Flamingo cruise missiles. These weapons, which reportedly have a range of 3,000 kilometers, triggered missile alerts across nearly half of Russia's regions, including western Siberia and the Urals. Key targets included the Bashneft oil refinery in Ufa and the Scientific Research Institute of Physical Measurements in Penza, a facility producing sensors for ICBMs and cruise missiles. These operations have caused fuel rationing and disruptions across Russia, while strikes in the Voronezh and Volgograd regions resulted in several deaths.

Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov reported that these strikes, combined with attacks on logistics in Crimea and southern Ukraine, have forced some Russian infantry to march 30 kilometers on foot to reach frontline positions. He noted that critical shortages in fuel and troop transport are reducing the intensity of Russian offensive operations.

Russia responded with overnight strikes across southeastern Ukraine on June 30 and July 1. Drones targeted gas stations in Dnipro, killing one woman, and seven guided bombs struck Zaporizhzhia, killing at least two people and hitting a kindergarten. Vladimir Putin acknowledged that Ukrainian strikes on energy infrastructure have created problems but rejected proposals to halt them, claiming Russian retaliatory strikes are more destructive. While Putin expressed openness to talks with U.S. envoys, Zelenskyy maintained that Russia must end the war.