Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has approved a 40-day operation by the State Security Service (SBU) aimed at pressuring Russia to end the war. The SBU's plan involves 'long-range sanctions' and 'medium-range sanctions,' which Kyiv uses to describe drone strikes.
This operation signifies an escalation in Ukraine's strategy to pressure Russia by targeting its infrastructure and rear areas, aiming to disrupt its war effort and potentially force negotiations. The involvement of Belarus remains a significant concern for regional stability.
Ukraine has launched a 40-day operation by its State Security Service (SBU) aimed at pressuring Russia to end the war, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The announcement follows several weeks of Ukrainian strikes against energy and military targets in Russian-occupied Crimea and within Russia itself.
Zelenskyy stated that the SBU's plan involves "long-range sanctions" and "medium-range sanctions," terms Kyiv uses to describe its drone attacks. He praised the SBU for its recent successes in hitting Russian personnel and equipment, particularly through the use of drones. These strikes have targeted Russia's logistics, energy infrastructure, and personnel, aiming to disrupt supply lines and bring the conflict home to the Russian population.
Following the announcement, Moscow reported numerous drone attacks towards the Russian capital. Ukraine's military intelligence indicated that Russia has redeployed air defense systems to protect Moscow and the Kerch Bridge, potentially weakening defenses in other areas. Kyiv's strategy includes isolating Crimea by destroying critical infrastructure and cutting off supply routes.
Additionally, Zelenskyy issued a warning to Belarus regarding its potential expansion of aggression, noting the near-completion of military infrastructure construction along the Belarus-Ukraine border. This comes after Belarus' exiled opposition provided intelligence on Minsk's potential involvement in the war and after Belarusian President Aliaksandr Lukashenka appeared to agree to remove communications equipment that Ukraine claims was supporting Russian drone strikes.