{"id":2622633,"date":"2026-07-02T05:39:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T09:39:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ukraine-missile-and-drone-blitz-heaps-pressure-and-pain-on-putin\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T05:42:43","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T09:42:43","slug":"ukraine-missile-and-drone-blitz-heaps-pressure-and-pain-on-putin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ukraine-missile-and-drone-blitz-heaps-pressure-and-pain-on-putin\/","title":{"rendered":"Ukraine missile and drone blitz heaps pressure and pain on Putin"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fukraine-missile-and-drone-blitz-heaps-pressure-and-pain-on-putin%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2622633&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr zelensky announced the start of a 40-day campaign targeting Russian military and energy infrastructure inland from the border. As then, Ukraine has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/uk-joins-us-in-latest-houthi-strikes\/\" title=\"UK joins US in latest Houthi ...\">successfully conducted strikes<\/a> using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/4-hostile-regimes-testing-joe-biden-during-his-first-months-in-office\/\" title=\"4 Hostile Regimes Testing Joe Biden During His First Months In Office\">long-range missiles<\/a> and drones, significantly disrupting Russian logistics and energy production, including attacks on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/every-state-in-the-u-s-is-now-paying-4-a-gallon-for-gasoline-aaa\/\" title=\"Every State In The U.S. Is Now Paying  A Gallon For ...: AAA\">major oil refineries<\/a> like Ufa and others in Ukraine-occupied Crimea, leading to a state of emergency there. These operations have inflicted considerable damage on Russia&#8217;s military, economy, and energy sector, causing issues such as gasoline shortages and queues at gas stations across Russia. Despite acknowledging these problems, Russian President Vladimir Putin minimized the impact, claiming the strikes were not critical to the front-line situation. Ukraine\u2019s intensified attacks, especially targeting energy assets and supply lines in Crimea, have advanced the country&#8217;s military efforts and challenged Russia\u2019s narrative of success. Experts suggest Ukraine&#8217;s use of advanced drones has been instrumental in these strikes, and the conflict&#8217;s progression is closely watched by NATO and European allies, especially ahead of upcoming summit discussions. Western voices, including former U.S. officials like Donald Trump, praise Zelensky&#8217;s resilience, while discussions continue on how best to support Ukraine amid ongoing hostilities.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When Ukrainian President<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/volodymyr-zelensky\"> Volodymyr Zelensky<\/a> announced last week that his military would be undertaking a 40-day campaign to hammer <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/russia\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"80\">Russian<\/a> military and energy infrastructure deeper inland from the border, the concept did not feel materially different from his usual stream of war updates. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, a little over a week since the long-range missiles and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/drones\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"920\">drones<\/a> began raining down, the successful disruption of enemy logistics is becoming difficult to ignore.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4633580\/russian-missile-drone-attack-kyiv\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Russian missile attack on Kyiv collapses apartment building, trapping residents<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4632388\/sspx-defies-pope-leo-breaks-catholic-church-consecration-bishops\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>SSPX defies Pope Leo XIV, breaks from Catholic Church with illicit consecration of new bishops<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4632070\/zelensky-calls-for-peace-after-ukraine-strikes-russian-oil-refinery-and-military-complex\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Zelensky calls for peace after Ukraine strikes Russian oil refinery and military complex<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Zelensky announced on Wednesday a second successful strike on the Ufa oil facility, one of Russia\u2019s largest producers of lubricants. Similar attacks have been carried out against the Slavyansk and the Yaroslavl refineries, among others. Crimea, the region of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ukraine\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"82\">Ukraine <\/a>occupied by Russia, has entered a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticcouncil.org\/blogs\/ukrainealert\/ukraines-blockade-of-crimea-puts-putins-greatest-victory-under-threat\/\">state of emergency<\/a> due to the attacks.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It has become clear that the operation is causing unprecedented pain for the Russian military and national economy. The only question is whether it will finally be enough to make President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/beltway-confidential\/4628893\/putin-ukraine-war-difficulty-novorossiya-imperium\/\">Vladimir Putin<\/a> bend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey have a theory that if they can conduct a very sharp, concentrated effort against Russian energy that seeks to destroy Russia\u2019s ability to process and transport and use energy, then that can change the Kremlin\u2019s incentives and help bring Putin to come to the table to actually negotiate ending the war,\u201d George Barros, an expert with the Institute for the Study of War, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">A plume of black smoke is seen over the port of St. Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, June 3, 2026, after a Ukrainian drone attack. (AP Photo)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/07\/localimages\/AP26154236654404.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A plume of black smoke is seen over the port of St. Petersburg, Russia, on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, after a Ukrainian drone attack. (AP Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Putin acknowledged over the weekend that <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4627542\/ukraine-drone-campaign-russia-energy-infrastructure-damage\/\">Ukrainian attacks<\/a> were \u201cobviously creating problems\u201d that \u201cpersist for both motorists and businesses.\u201d He also addressed the widespread \u201cqueues at petrol stations\u201d that have dominated Russian media.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Russia\u2019s fourth-largest oil refinery, Norsi, was forced to suspend operations last week after a Ukrainian strike. It is also the country\u2019s second-largest producer of gasoline.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe have to reduce to a minimum the impact of terrorist attacks on our civilian targets and infrastructure,\u201d Putin said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Photos and videos from inside Russia have shown winding lines of vehicles waiting for a chance to fuel up at gas stations across the country, including in the more insulated capital city.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that \u201cdiscussions are actively being held\u201d with other countries to import gasoline and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >stabilize energy markets amid attacks<\/a> on oil refineries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Putin insists that Ukraine\u2019s 40-day campaign is \u201cnot critical\u201d and the strikes will have \u201cabsolutely no impact on the situation at the front line.\u201d\u00a0Zelensky chided his Russian counterpart on Wednesday for \u201ccompletely refusing to end the war\u201d despite pressure from Kyiv through \u201call possible official and unofficial channels \u2013 including through people close to him.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With more than 30 days of the bombing campaign to go, there is still plenty of time for Ukraine to make the conflict maddening for the Russian public.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Barros noted he doesn\u2019t believe it was \u201cvery productive\u201d for Zelensky to specify a time frame for how long the campaign is meant to go on because it \u201callows for an adversary to plan around it.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The current push has been months in the making, he said, noting that Ukraine started more aggressively targeting Russia\u2019s ground-based air defense systems, radars, and electronic warfare systems, which he said are \u201ccrucial components for Russia\u2019s integrated air defense network,\u201d in mid-to-late 2025.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">Cars line up at a petrol station in Simferopol, Crimea, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/07\/localimages\/AP26163465605427.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cars line up at a petrol station in Simferopol, Crimea, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe saw this Ukrainian campaign for suppression and destruction of air defenses really mature in the latter half of 2025,\u201d Barros said. \u201cIt persisted throughout the first quarter of 2026. I think what we\u2019re seeing now is the exploitation of that initial legwork.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using advanced strike drones with longer ranges, Ukraine has been more effective at hitting Russian supply lines that it had previously not targeted as consistently, including in Russian-occupied <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/crimea\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"805\">Crimea<\/a>, which was annexed in 2014. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Russian-backed Crimean leaders declared a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4626437\/kremlin-authorities-declare-emergency-crimea-ukraine-strikes\/\">state of emergency<\/a> last month due to sustained Ukrainian strikes targeting the peninsula. Specifically, Ukraine has targeted the primary highway connecting Crimea and Russia, which has created new challenges for how Russia can get supplies to troops on the front line in southern Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUkraine has also significantly expanded production and deployment of advanced strike drones, including new platforms such as the Hornet drone, which enables more effective mid-range strike operations into Russia,\u201d Maria Snegovaya, senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said on a call with reporters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOn top of that, Russia is entering a period of stagnation, perhaps even borderline recession, with Ukraine\u2019s attacks on refineries further exacerbating these trends and threatening a gasoline crisis,\u201d she said. \u201cAll of this is true. However, the conflict remains far from over. The Kremlin, and Putin in particular, show few signs of their willingness to end the war.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even with the Russian economy struggling, the Kremlin has not given any public indications that it would be willing to reduce its demands. But Ukraine\u2019s successes, both before and during the current campaign, have raised eyebrows in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/europe\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"81\">Europe <\/a>and the United States.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kristjan Prikk, Estonian Ambassador to the U.S., told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>, \u201cUkraine\u2019s intensified strikes on energy infrastructure targeting assets supporting Russia\u2019s military operations are a significant tactical as well as strategical development.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prikk \u2014 who is set to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/news.err.ee\/1609929104\/president-appoints-us-ambassador-as-estonia-s-new-top-diplomat-at-nato\">transition from Washington to Brussels<\/a> as the incoming Estonian ambassador to NATO \u2014 said that Ukraine, through these attacks, has \u201conce again demonstrated that Russia\u2019s narrative of inevitable success on the battlefield does not reflect reality.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, listens to the Governor of the Kursk Region Alexander Khinshtein during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (Gavriil Grigorov\/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/07\/localimages\/AP26181445866205.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, listens to the Governor of the Kursk Region Alexander Khinshtein during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (Gavriil Grigorov\/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Asked last week whether he believed \u201cZelensky is currently winning\u201d on the battlefield, President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> offered a heaping of praise.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cListen, however you look at it, he\u2019s doing quite well. At least, he\u2019s holding up. A lot of people die on both sides, but I think he\u2019s handling it fairly well,\u201d Trump told White House reporters. \u201cYou have to admit that he\u2019s brave. He\u2019s got great technique, but he\u2019s got great people, too. He has fighters.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4630769\/afd-end-russian-boycotts\/\"><strong>AFD WANTS TO END GERMAN BOYCOTT ON RUSSIAN ENERGY, SAYS FAILED UKRAINE INVASION SHOWS KREMLIN IS NO THREAT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ukraine\u2019s recent successes will undoubtedly be discussed at the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, set to commence on July 7.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Matthew Whitaker, U.S. permanent representative to NATO, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pravda.com.ua\/eng\/news\/2026\/07\/01\/8041962\/index.amp\">told<\/a> a <em>European Pravda<\/em> reporter in Brussels that the \u201cannouncements\u201d from the U.S. and European allies concerning Ukraine \u201care going to be substantial.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Zelensky&#8217;s 40-day campaign targets Russian infrastructure, disrupting logistics<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4065,"featured_media":2622634,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26154236654404.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[48261,42102,42101,3733,6991],"class_list":["post-2622633","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-drone-strikes","tag-geopolitical-tensions","tag-missile-attacks","tag-putin","tag-ukraine"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26154236654404.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2622633","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4065"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2622633"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2622633\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2622637,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2622633\/revisions\/2622637"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2622634"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2622633"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2622633"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2622633"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}