February 18, 2026

Athens News

News in English from Greece

“Plunge Russia into cold and darkness”: Kyiv expands the geography of long-range attacks


Vladimir Zelensky announced a new strategy aimed at strengthening long-range strikes in the depths of the territory Russiaemphasizing that Russian Refinery “They are already paying a heavy price for the war.”

New goals and “long-term sanctions”

At the meeting High military command The President of Ukraine set the task of expanding the geography of long-range strikes. Representatives attended the meeting defense industry and all those responsible for the application of appropriate means. The central theme was Ukraine’s ability to impose on Russia what Zelensky called “long-term sanctions” – targeted strikes on key targets in the rear.

Meeting participants analyzed the effectiveness of recent long-range strikes. According to Zelensky, “The Russian oil industry is already paying a heavy price for the war and will pay even more.”

Production, contracts and air defense

The President reported on working with Ukrainian defense companies to conclude three-year contractswhich will allow better planning of resources, increase production and supplies for Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to him, the number of such agreements will increase significantly in the near future.

At the meeting they also presented reports on Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructureidentified new defense needs and priorities for cooperation with international partners on issues Air defense. “Our partners have the necessary systems, and it is important for Ukrainian diplomacy to act more actively to prepare appropriate decisions,” Zelensky noted.

Application evaluation

From a political and psychological point of view, the president’s statement performs several functions at once: it demonstrates internal determination, is addressed to the population and allies, and is designed to maintain the initiative in the information agenda. However, at its core, this is a combination of rhetoric and tactical steps – an attempt to turn military strikes into an instrument of strategic pressure, not always backed up by large-scale resources.

The critical point is that such statements are easily interpreted as a form “military PR”: loud formulation (“plunge Russia into cold and darkness”) serves to mobilize support, but does not guarantee achievement of the stated results without sustainable logistics, large-scale ammunition and reliable protection of its own infrastructure. Given the current intensity of strikes and limited resources, the risk of a reverse effect is real: escalation could intensify attacks on Ukrainian targets and lead to serious humanitarian and economic consequences within the country.

Conclusion

Statement Vladimir Zelensky – this is at the same time a tactical move, a message to domestic and foreign policy and self-PR. Its successful implementation requires a significant increase in weapons production, sustainable multi-year contracts and active diplomacy on air defense supplies. Without this, the rhetoric risks remaining symbolic, and the cost of strategic pressure too high for the citizens and infrastructure of Ukraine.



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