Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commended the country’s military personnel following what he described as another successful series of long-range strikes against Russian military and energy infrastructure.
In a statement, Zelenskyy thanked Ukrainian forces for carrying out precision operations that targeted key assets linked to Russia‘s war effort.
He said the attacks form part of Ukraine’s ongoing campaign to increase the costs of Russia‘s military aggression.
Tu-95 Bomber Reportedly Destroyed at Engels Air Base
According to Zelenskyy, one of the most significant operations resulted in the destruction of a Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber at Engels airfield. He said the aircraft had previously been used to launch missile attacks against Ukrainian territory.
The Ukrainian president credited the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) for the operation, noting that the air base is located roughly 800 kilometers from Ukraine’s border. The strike, he said, demonstrated Ukraine’s ability to reach strategic military targets far from the front lines.
Energy Infrastructure and Occupied Territories Also Targeted
Beyond the strike on the strategic bomber, Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s Defense Forces also conducted attacks on facilities connected to Russia’s oil industry. Additional operations targeted what he described as designated military objectives in territories of Ukraine that remain under Russian occupation.
He did not provide further details regarding the extent of the damage or the specific locations of those targets.
Kyiv Says Operations Raise the Cost of the War
Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s long-range operations are intended to impose greater military and economic costs on Russia as the conflict continues. He described the campaign as a legitimate act of self-defense, emphasizing that Ukraine would continue taking proactive measures against assets supporting Russia’s military operations.
The Ukrainian leader concluded by expressing gratitude to the country’s service members and to international partners and supporters who continue assisting Ukraine in its defense efforts.
