Since Early 2026, Ukraine Has Struck Russia 658 Times: The Kremlin's Growing Losses.

Ukrainian Military Gains and Their Impact on Russia

According to Espreso.tv: Speaking at the Ukraine Recovery Conference held in Gdańsk, UN Deputy Secretary-General Oleksandra Shekerynska highlighted the battlefield successes of Ukraine's Armed Forces and the strikes carried out against Russia since the start of 2026. She emphasized that these windows of opportunity come at the cost of many lives and will not remain open indefinitely.

Strike Campaigns and Their Consequences

Since the beginning of 2026, Ukrainian forces have launched 658 strikes on targets located more than 100 kilometers from the border. In 2025, Ukraine conducted nearly twice as many strikes as in the previous three years combined. Projections for 2026 suggest the total number of strikes could exceed 800. St. Petersburg has become a regular target in these operations.

Since the start of the year, Ukrainian troops have hit two dozen major oil refineries and terminals, resulting in a loss of more than 30% of processing capacity. In May 2026, the Armed Forces set a record by carrying out 30 attacks on oil facilities in a single month. As a result, Russia has lost at least $18 billion in oil revenues, and the country's oil production has dropped by 15%. Fuel shortages have spread across Moscow, St. Petersburg, and occupied territories, and in June 2026, gasoline production fell by a quarter compared to the previous year.

• The Kremlin's budget deficit for the first four months of 2026 reached 5.9 trillion rubles.
• Russia's military spending has been forced to increase by 40% beyond planned levels.

Shekerynska also noted that despite all the praise directed at Christianity and Orthodoxy, the Russian side ends up bombing sacred sites, which in her view is not a sign of strength but rather a sign of weakness.

In summary, the achievements of Ukraine's Armed Forces and the severe repercussions for Russia's economy point to major shifts on the battlefield and in the energy sector, which could shape the future trajectory of the conflict. Russia's rising military expenditures and declining energy revenues are likely to create new challenges for Moscow as the war continues. Assessing these developments is crucial for determining the next strategic moves of both sides.