Ukraine’s Long-Range Strikes Hit Russian Oil and Cities, Shifting War in Year 5
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Jul 17
Ukraine’s Long-Range Strikes Hit Russian Oil and Cities, Shifting War in Year 5
3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Jul 17
Summary
Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil sites, Moscow and St. Petersburg have created a “significant change” in the war, ex-Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov said, arguing they are now altering public sentiment inside Russia.
Kasyanov said the strikes are puncturing Putin’s core promise of stability and security, while fuel-shortage fears, internet curbs and a budget deficit that reached 2.5% of GDP add pressure on the Kremlin.
That pressure is especially sensitive in Russia’s urban middle class, he said, a group the Kremlin has tried to shield from the war by avoiding a general mobilization despite battlefield losses and manpower strains.
Kasyanov urged Western governments to sustain sanctions and military backing for Kyiv, saying consistent pressure could force Putin toward real concessions by year-end rather than repeat maximalist demands.
His comments follow Ukraine’s widening drone campaign — including waves aimed at Moscow this week — and come as Trump says Putin may be ready to strike a deal soon.
With its refineries burning and air defenses failing, what is Russia's next move to counter Ukraine's drone supremacy?
As Ukraine's drone tech outpaces Russian defenses, is the collapse of Russia's oil-fueled war economy now simply a matter of time?
How Ukraine’s 2026 Drone Campaign Reshaped Russian Defenses and Global Military Doctrine
Overview
On July 15-16, 2026, a major drone attack struck several Russian regions, notably damaging civilian infrastructure in Engles, a city with a strategically important airbase that has faced repeated Ukrainian strikes. This event highlights Ukraine’s shift from improvised drone use to a fully integrated military doctrine, enabling expanded and more effective operations deep inside Russia. The evolving campaign aims to disrupt Russia’s war economy and logistics, while Russia is forced to adapt its defenses. The incident reflects how drone warfare is reshaping both the conflict’s immediate impact and the broader strategies of modern war.