Zelenskyy Orders 1,000 Daily Drone Strikes Against Russia

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a plan to increase Ukraine's long-range drone strikes against Russian territory to 1,000 drones per day, more than tripling the current average of 300. In a video message from Kyiv, Zelenskyy stated the objective is to force Russia to the negotiating table by targeting oil refineries, logistics centers, and military production facilities to deplete Moscow's fuel supplies and export revenue.

Ukraine has already paralyzed the port of Novorossiysk and struck an oil refinery in the Yaroslavl region, located 1,000 kilometers from the front line. Zelenskyy noted that Russia already faces reduced fuel, exports, and logistical capacity, warning that losses will increase if Moscow does not negotiate sensibly to end the war.

Russia responded with air and artillery strikes across the Kyiv, Sumy, Kherson, and Kharkiv regions, resulting in multiple civilian deaths. Russian forces also targeted vital Black Sea ports in the Odessa region, severely disrupting shipping traffic. Amidst the escalation, the Kremlin confirmed that U.S. CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow to meet with Russian intelligence officials, though he did not meet with President Vladimir Putin.