Zelenskyy: Ukraine's Logistics Attacks Hit Russian Vulnerabilities, Costing Billions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared himself "absolutely satisfied" with the results of a 40-day influence operation aimed at compelling Russia to end the war. The campaign, initiated in late June by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), targeted Russian logistics and infrastructure, with Zelenskyy suggesting Ukraine might continue such attacks.

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We understand all their vulnerabilities.

The operation culminated in actions affecting dozens of Russian oil tankers allegedly supplying occupied Crimea and the destruction of several warehouses belonging to the online retailer Wildberries across Russia. While details were scarce initially, the SBU stated on August 4 that the actions aimed to "simultaneously weaken key elements of the Russian military machine."

Zelenskyy stated in a national television interview that the operation inflicted significant losses on Russia, estimating them at 1 trillion rubles (about $12.2 billion). "The losses are staggering... It was a very successful operation by the Ukrainian forces," he added. Although the operation did not end the war, officials familiar with its planning indicated a longer-term political objective was to make Russian citizens feel the war's consequences more directly, especially ahead of local elections in September.

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The losses are staggering, 1000 billion rubles, approximately 12.2 billion dollars. It was a very successful operation by the Ukrainian forces.

"We understand all their vulnerabilities," Zelenskyy warned, referencing Russia's attacks on Ukrainian logistics. He implied that Ukraine's strikes on Russian logistics could continue if Russia persists. "For a long time, they allowed themselves to hit non-military targets, and they need to know that Ukraine hits military targets. But if they continue, we understand all their vulnerabilities," he said. Zelenskyy noted that Russians would feel the impact of logistical problems affecting goods, contrasting it with Ukraine's ongoing hardship since the start of the Russian aggression.

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For a long time, they allowed themselves to hit non-military targets, and they need to know that Ukraine hits military targets. But, if they continue, we understand all their vulnerabilities.