Zelenskyy Establishes Long-Range Command as Drone Strikes Cripple Russian Fuel

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree on July 10, 2026, establishing a specialized long-range impact command within the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The command is tasked with systematically reducing Russia's warfighting capacity by targeting energy and logistics infrastructure. This strategic shift coincided with a massive drone campaign that struck oil refineries in Omsk, Krasnodar, and Samara, as well as maritime terminals in St Petersburg and Ust-Luga.

These operations severely disrupted Russian fuel supplies, causing gasoline output to drop to approximately 65 percent of capacity. Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak announced a temporary ban on gasoline and diesel exports through July 31 to stabilize the domestic market. Shortages reached critical levels in Crimea and Siberia, where regional officials in Tomsk and Novosibirsk urged citizens to work remotely to conserve fuel. The crisis extended to Central Asia, causing fuel price spikes in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Ukraine also executed a maritime blockade in the Sea of Azov, striking dozens of vessels from Russia's shadow fleet. Robert Brovdi reported that 76 vessels were hit between July 6 and July 11, prompting the Russian Border Guard Service to suspend commercial navigation through the Kerch Strait and Don-Azov Canal. This closure caused global wheat futures to rise nearly 4 percent.

Russia responded with intensified aerial bombardments. Russian forces launched missile and drone strikes across Kyiv, Odesa, and Kharkiv, while glide bombs in Sumy killed several civilians. In the Donetsk region, Vladimir Putin claimed territorial gains near Kostiantynivka, though Ukrainian officials cautioned that Russia retains significant offensive potential.