On June 26, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a 40-day influence operation led by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). The campaign, which is scheduled to conclude in early August, aims to pressure Russia into ending its ongoing invasion by systematically targeting critical infrastructure deep within Russian territory. By striking oil refineries, logistics networks, and vessels associated with Russia’s sanctioned shadow fleet, Kyiv seeks to degrade Moscow’s military and economic capabilities while disrupting the supply lines that sustain the front-line war effort.
Three weeks into the operation, the results have been significant. Ukrainian forces have successfully struck energy facilities as far as 1,500 kilometers from the border, including major pumping stations and oil depots. Additionally, the campaign has severely impacted fuel supplies in Russian-occupied Crimea, where traffic through the Kerch Strait has faced disruptions. Military analysts note that these deep strikes have forced Russia to redistribute its air defenses, creating new vulnerabilities across its vast territory.
Beyond the physical damage, the campaign carries a strong psychological and political dimension. Observers suggest the 40-day timeframe serves as a symbolic message to the Kremlin ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections. By bringing the reality of the war to major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, Kyiv intends to demonstrate that the conflict is not a distant event but a direct threat to Russia’s internal stability and economic health.
While the operation has not yet forced a diplomatic breakthrough or an end to the war, it has coincided with a notable shift in battlefield dynamics. Ukrainian officials report that the pace of Russian territorial advances has slowed by more than half compared to the first six months of the year. As the campaign enters its final phase, the focus remains on whether these sustained strikes can sufficiently erode Russia’s war machine to force a change in Moscow’s strategic calculations.