Ukrainian President Zelensky announced on Friday (August 28) that Ukraine plans to significantly increase the frequency of long-range drone strikes on Russia, aiming to deploy 1,000 drones per day. Currently, Russian forces are intensifying attacks on Kyiv and other areas, while Ukraine is also targeting oil refineries and military facilities within Russian territory.
Zelensky convened a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief on Friday to discuss the necessary weapon supplies to counter Russian attacks. In his evening address, he emphasized the need to enhance defense against jet-powered “Shahed” drones and increase deep strikes on Russia.
The goal, as stated by Zelensky, is to conduct daily remote strikes against Russia using 1,000 drones. He said, “We have a very clear goal, and we will achieve it.”
Currently, Ukraine launches around 300 long-range drones towards Russia per day. Based on this calculation, the Ukrainian military will more than triple the launch rate in the future.
Zelensky mentioned that recent attacks by Russian forces have intensified in cities such as Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kherson. He called for the expedited production of interceptors to defend against drones.
According to reports from Reuters, attacks by Russia in various regions of Ukraine within just one day have led to multiple casualties.
In the Kyiv region, at least one person was killed and two others were injured on Friday. In Sumy, a drone attack resulted in the death of a 61-year-old man and injuries to 7 people. Following airstrikes and shelling in Kherson, a 61-year-old man died, and 11 others were injured, including a child.
In Kharkiv, the attack resulted in the deaths of a 26-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman, with 13 others injured, including two children.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to launch remote strikes on Russian energy and military infrastructure.
On Friday, Ukrainian forces targeted the “Slavneft-YANOS” oil refinery in Yaroslavl Oblast. The facility, one of Russia’s largest oil refineries, located over 700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, has an annual crude processing capacity of around 15 million tons. Ukrainian officials also stated that a Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber was damaged during the attack on the Engels Air Force Base in Saratov Oblast.
Earlier, on August 26, Ukrainian forces also attacked the “Lukoil-Nizhegorodorgsintez” oil refinery in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, nearly 800 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The refinery processes around 17 million tons of crude oil annually. The attack damaged several processing units, facility infrastructure, and other plant equipment, leading to the refinery’s halt in crude processing.
Zelensky mentioned on Friday evening that these remote strikes are exerting pressure on Russia’s fuel supply, export revenue, and military production. He stated that Russia has started importing gasoline and is using budget funds to support oil companies, affecting gasoline supply, exports, and logistic capabilities.
In his address, he also highlighted the impact of Ukrainian remote strikes on the crucial Black Sea export hub Novorossiysk Port in Russia. Currently, “no ships are entering or leaving Novorossiysk,” and each day of disrupted port operations further weakens Russia’s war capabilities.
“If Russia is not willing to have a rational discussion on how to end this war, they will suffer more such losses,” Zelensky remarked.
Zelensky also mentioned the recent visit of CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Moscow.
He stated that Kyiv has received information from the US regarding recent meetings in Moscow but did not disclose further details.
“There were multiple meetings held there,” Zelensky said, expressing gratitude to the US for “providing information and taking the necessary tone in talks with Russia.”
The Kremlin confirmed that Ratcliffe met with Russian intelligence officials in Moscow but did not have a meeting with Russian President Putin. This visit marks the first known visit of a CIA Director to Moscow since November 2021.