Ukraine says its new missiles, drones causing gas shortages in Russia

Moscow has boosted imports from Belarus and China following strikes, Zelensky says.

- BY HANNA ARHIROVA

Strikes on Russian oil facilities by Ukraine’s newly developed long-range missiles and drones are causing significant gas shortages in Russia, while on the battlefield a recent Ukrainian counter offensive has derailed Russia’s plans to capture parts of the eastern Donetsk region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says.

Ukraine’s new Palianytsia missile has hit dozens of Russian military depots, Zelensky said. The Ruta missile drone, meanwhile, recently struck a Russian offshore oil platform more than 150 miles away in what Zelensky called “a major success” for the new weapon.

Also, swarms of Liutyi and Fire Point long-range drones — up to 300 units in one operation — have hit Russian energy facilities, and Ukrainian forces recently fired Neptune and Flamingo missile systems at Russia, the Ukrainian leader said.

Russian fuel shortages and higher imports indicate that Ukraine's attacks are working, Zelensky said at a news briefing Wednesday. His remarks were embargoed until Thursday.