Ukraine’s Deep-Strike Campaign Is Increasing Pressure on Russia, but Military Leaders Warn the War Is Entering a Long Phase of Attrition

For much of 2026, Ukraine has intensified its campaign of long-range strikes against military and industrial targets deep inside Russia. Oil refineries, fuel depots, ammunition storage facilities and military airfields have become increasingly frequent targets, reflecting Kyiv's broader strategy of degrading Russia's ability to sustain its war effort rather than focusing solely on frontline gains.

According to Maksym Zhorin, Deputy Commander of Ukraine's Third Army Corps and one of the country's best-known military officers, these operations are already producing tangible results. Speaking in an interview with Radio NV, he argued that Ukraine has temporarily seized the technological initiative by demonstrating more effective use of long-range drones than its opponent.

Zhorin’s comments came shortly after a widely discussed essay by Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and now the country’s ambassador to the United Kingdom. In his article, Zaluzhnyi argued that the conflict has evolved into a classic war of attrition, where victory will depend less on dramatic offensives and more on industrial output, technological innovation, economic resilience and the ability to sustain military operations over many years.

Zhorin largely agreed with this assessment, acknowledging that the current phase of the war increasingly resembles a prolonged struggle of resources and endurance. At the same time, he suggested that some of Zaluzhnyi’s conclusions were presented at a broad strategic level and should not be interpreted as a complete picture of the battlefield.

The commander argued that Ukraine has, for now, managed to seize the technological initiative through its expanding use of long-range drones. Ukrainian strikes against oil refineries, fuel depots, ammunition storage facilities and other strategic targets have demonstrated an ability to reach deep inside Russian territory. At the same time, he stressed that this advantage should not be viewed as permanent, as both sides continue to rapidly adapt their technologies and battlefield tactics.

One of the most significant consequences of Ukraine's long-range campaign, according to Zhorin, is growing pressure on Russia’s fuel infrastructure. Repeated attacks on refineries, storage facilities and logistical hubs have contributed to regional fuel shortages and increased costs for the Russian economy. Beyond their economic impact, these strikes also complicate the supply chain supporting Russian military operations.

Another strategic objective is the gradual isolation of occupied Crimea. Since Ukraine has repeatedly targeted bridges, logistics routes, ports and military infrastructure connected to the peninsula, maintaining supplies has become increasingly difficult for Russian forces. Zhorin believes that if this pressure continues over time, Moscow could face mounting challenges in sustaining its military presence there.

The military commander also commented on recurring nuclear threats from the Kremlin, describing them as an instrument of political pressure rather than an indication of imminent escalation. He argued that while such rhetoric should not be ignored, it should also not alter the broader strategic approach of Ukraine and its partners.

Despite recent Ukrainian successes, Zhorin warned against expectations of a rapid end to the war. In his view, neither a decisive military breakthrough nor a negotiated settlement appears likely in the near future.

Instead, Ukraine is preparing for what many military analysts increasingly describe as a long-term contest of technological innovation, industrial production and international support—one in which the side capable of adapting faster and sustaining its resources will hold the greatest strategic advantage.

Source: Radio NV