Ukraine launches drone attacks on Russian refineries and occupied Crimea

Ukraine's sustained drone warfare has knocked out refineries, tilted the battlefield balance, and brought the war home to some Russians for the first time in four years of fighting. Hours after Zelensky's announcement, one of the largest drone attacks of the war targeted 12 regions of Russia as well as occupied Crimea. Russian authorities said at least 660 Ukrainian drones were intercepted, and explosions were reported at a chemical plant in the Tula region.

The drone attacks have caused significant damage to Russian refineries, with at least three more refineries hit this week. The refinery in Moscow, which was hit by a drone attack last week, is likely to remain offline until 2027. Zelensky's announcement of a 40-day operation suggests there's much more to come. The impact of Ukraine's long-distance strikes appears to be sharpest in Russian-occupied Crimea, where authorities have halted all fuel sales and declared a state of emergency.

The US-led diplomacy on Ukraine has stalled due to a combination of the war in Iran and frustrations after the failure of several previous rounds. It's unclear whether Zelensky's drone campaign can actually provide fresh momentum for peace talks. While it's piling pressure on Moscow, some analysts argue it will harden sentiments in Russia that Ukraine must be fought and defeated.