President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Friday, July 10, the creation of a specialized command within the Ukrainian armed forces dedicated to long-range strikes. The new military structure is designed to centralize Ukraine’s ability to hit targets deep inside Russian territory, focusing 100% of available resources on reducing Moscow’s capacity to sustain its war effort, according to an official evening address by the president.
Zelensky Establishes Special Command for Long-Range Strikes
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on July 10 establishing a special command within the armed forces to coordinate deep-strike operations. During his evening address, Zelensky stated that the new structure is intended to have a “long-term and, in fact, global” impact on the government of Vladimir Putin. The president specified that the command will dedicate all available resources to degrading the Russian military’s logistical and industrial capabilities.
This reorganization follows months of Ukrainian operations targeting energy and logistics hubs far from the active front lines. By centralizing these capabilities, Kiev aims to coordinate drones, missiles, and other unmanned systems more effectively to weaken the Russian economy and army over time.
Targeting Russia’s Energy Sector and Oil Infrastructure
The strategic focus of the new command centers on the Russian petroleum sector, which Kiev identifies as an essential source for the Russian war effort. Ukraine has deployed attack drones capable of traveling thousands of kilometers to strike refineries and oil depots.
On July 10, Ukraine claimed responsibility for strikes against the Ilskyi refinery in the Krasnodar region—one of the largest facilities in southern Russia—as well as the Ust-Luga site in the Leningrad region of the northwest. These operations are part of a broader effort to disrupt the production and export of fuel.
The economic impact of these strikes is measurable. According to Reuters, Russian domestic gasoline production recently dropped to approximately 65% of its total capacity following a series of attacks on refineries. In response to these shortages, Moscow has banned diesel exports and restricted maritime traffic in the canal connecting the Don to the Sea of Azov after attacks targeted roughly ten tankers in that zone.
Military Context and Resource Management
The creation of this command comes at a time of limited movement along the front lines. Ukraine continues to face significant military pressure from Russian forces, particularly as Kiev struggles with a shortage of missiles required to intercept Russian ballistic strikes.
Military officials in Kiev believe that a centralized command will allow for better synchronization of diverse assets. By integrating long-range drones with missile systems, the Ukrainian military hopes to create a more sustainable and aggressive rhythm of attacks that can bypass traditional front-line stalemates and impact the Russian interior directly.
| Targeted Area | Reported Impact/Action | Source/Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline Production | Dropped to ~65% capacity | Reuters |
| Krasnodar Region | Ilskyi refinery attacked | Ukrainian Claim (July 10) |
| Leningrad Region | Ust-Luga site attacked | Ukrainian Claim (July 10) |
| Don-Azov Canal | Maritime traffic restricted | Russian Response |
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