Ukraine launches 40-day operation to ‘pressure Russia to end the war’
Ukraine Launches 40-Day Operation to 'Pressure Russia to End the War'
Ukraine launches 40 day operation to pressure - In a decisive move to intensify pressure on Russia, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sanctioned a strategic 40-day initiative spearheaded by the State Security Service (SBU). This operation, announced following a meeting with SBU chief Major General Yevhenii Khmara, marks a new phase in Kyiv’s efforts to force Moscow into negotiations. Zelenskyy emphasized that the plan involves a combination of long-range and medium-range sanctions, aiming to disrupt Russia’s war capabilities while targeting its infrastructure and morale.
Targeting Moscow’s Infrastructure
Recent attacks have already shown the effectiveness of Ukraine’s drone campaigns, which have been a cornerstone of its military strategy. Over several months, the SBU has consistently demonstrated its ability to strike deep into Russian territory, undermining the country’s logistical networks and energy systems. Zelenskyy highlighted this success, noting that the service’s operations have significantly weakened the occupying forces’ ability to maintain supply lines and defend key positions. “For several months in a row, the SBU has demonstrated the highest performance in defending Ukraine’s positions on the front lines through the use of various types of drones,” he stated on Thursday evening.
The recent strikes on Moscow, particularly the closure of the Moscow Oil Refinery, have had a tangible impact on Russia’s fuel supply. This development has exacerbated the country’s energy crisis and brought the war closer to its citizens, who have remained largely unaffected by the conflict for over four years. Moscow authorities confirmed the launch of dozens of drones toward the capital, underscoring the intensity of the assault. These attacks are part of a broader strategy to weaken Russia’s “safety of deep rear” by targeting critical infrastructure in its heartland.
Crushing Crimea’s Supply Lines
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s mid-range strike campaign has focused on the annexed peninsula of Crimea, a key Russian stronghold. Over the past weeks, drone attacks have severely disrupted Moscow’s supply routes, cutting off essential resources for its troops stationed there. Zelenskyy’s recent statements suggest that the goal is to fully isolate Crimea from Russian support, leaving its occupiers vulnerable to a prolonged siege. “Logistics are being cut off. Crimea is being isolated,” warned Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov on June 17, a stark reminder of the operation’s potential to cripple Russian operations in the region.
Crimes has now faced significant shortages of fuel and electricity, with many Russian civilians evacuating the area in haste. The peninsula’s infrastructure, once a symbol of Russian dominance, is under threat as Kyiv’s strikes continue to erode Moscow’s control. This isolation not only weakens the Russian military presence but also pressures the local population, creating a dual front of economic and psychological strain.
Warnings to Belarus
Zelenskyy’s latest address also included a warning to Belarus, highlighting the country’s growing role in supporting Russia’s war effort. “The construction of road infrastructure and storage bases for ammunition and fuel and lubricants is nearing completion,” he said after receiving a report from Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service. These facilities, he claimed, are exclusively for military use, serving as potential launch pads for further aggression against Ukraine.
The warning comes amid concerns that Belarus, under President Aliaksandr Lukashenka, may be expanding its involvement in the conflict. Zelenskyy noted that Kyiv has already observed Moscow’s attempts to draw Belarus deeper into the war, leveraging its proximity to Ukraine’s borders. This strategy has intensified in recent months, with Belarusian military infrastructure being rapidly deployed along the eastern frontier. The exiled opposition in Belarus recently provided Kyiv with a list of warning signs, indicating that Minsk is preparing to escalate its support for Russia’s campaign.
Just days before Zelenskyy’s announcement, Belarus appeared to accept Kyiv’s ultimatum to dismantle communications equipment on its territory that was aiding Russian drone strikes. However, the president made it clear that Belarus could face unspecified consequences if it fails to comply. “The potential expansion of aggression” by Minsk remains a critical concern, as its alignment with Moscow could prolong the conflict and increase pressure on Ukraine’s eastern front.
Strategic Implications
By combining drone strikes with targeted sanctions, Ukraine is sending a clear message to Russia that its war effort is unsustainable. The operation’s focus on Moscow’s logistics and the isolated Crimea peninsula reflects a calculated approach to weakening Russia’s strategic depth. Zelenskyy’s assertion that “in practice, these are the two areas the Russians have been ordered to defend at the expense of weakening other sectors of their territory and the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine” underscores the broader impact of these actions.
The 40-day operation is part of a larger effort to shift the balance of power in favor of Kyiv. With military planning kept strictly confidential, the specifics of the campaign remain a closely guarded secret. However, the visible results—disrupted supply chains, damaged infrastructure, and a growing sense of vulnerability among Russian forces—paint a picture of a campaign designed to test Moscow’s resolve and force a response. As the strikes continue, the pressure on Russia mounts, with the hope that this aggressive posture will lead to a negotiated end to the war.
“Hell is beginning,” said Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov on 17 June. “Logistics are being cut off. Crimea is being isolated.”
Belarus, which once served as a strategic entry point for Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, now finds itself at a crossroads. Its deepening military alliance with Moscow has raised alarms in Kyiv, prompting warnings of further escalation. Zelenskyy’s remarks on Belarus are not just a tactical move but a reminder of the interconnected nature of the conflict, where regional allies can play pivotal roles in shaping the outcome.
As the 40-day operation unfolds, the focus on Moscow’s rear areas and Crimea’s isolation highlights Ukraine’s ability to strike at the heart of Russia’s war machine. The SBU’s success in these operations has not only bolstered morale within Ukraine but also demonstrated the effectiveness of asymmetric warfare. With each drone strike, the war becomes more than a territorial dispute—it evolves into a battle for strategic dominance, with the stakes continuing to rise.