Ukraine Proposes "Energy Ceisefire" as Drone Strikes Cripple Russian Oil Exports

Ukraine Proposes "Energy Ceisefire" as Drone Strikes Cripple Russian Oil Exports Ukraine has offered Russia a mutual halt to attacks on energy infrastructure, a proposal made as Kyiv's long-range drone campaign has severely damaged Russia's oil export capacity. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated the offer was communicated through mediators. "If Russia stops strikes on our energy sector, we will be ready to respond in kind," he said in an address [122336]. The proposal, termed an "energy ceasefire," would see Ukraine stop its strikes on Russian oil facilities if Moscow ceases its bombardment of Ukraine's civilian power grid [122401]. The offer comes amid a highly effective Ukrainian campaign targeting Russia's critical energy infrastructure. Ukrainian forces have launched repeated drone strikes on major oil export terminals. In the Baltic Sea, the key Ust-Luga complex—a major gateway for Russian fuel exports—has been hit twice in three days, just as it resumed operations from a previous attack [123064]. These ports handle approximately 40% of Russia's crude oil exports [123062]. Separate strikes have hit the Sheskharis oil terminal in Novorossiysk, a critical hub that handles millions of tonnes of Russian crude monthly. Analysts confirmed multiple direct hits on the facility [122400]. Another attack damaged a terminal near Novorossiysk used by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, one of the world's largest pipelines [122908]. Western intelligence suggests these attacks have disrupted over 40% of Russia's seaborne oil exports [122401]. Ukrainian officials claim their strikes have disabled a similar portion of Russia's seaborne oil capacity and destroyed infrastructure worth an estimated $1 billion in just five attacks [122401][122398]. The strategy aims to cripple a primary source of revenue funding Russia's military operations. Analysts note the strikes demonstrate Ukraine's growing long-range drone capabilities and its ability to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in Russian defenses far from the front lines [123057]. There has been no public indication that Russia will accept the Ukrainian proposal. The Kremlin has previously dismissed similar offers [122401]. The offer highlights a new phase in the conflict, where both sides possess the capability to strike critical energy targets deep behind enemy lines. Ukraine Targets Russia's Baltic Oil Lifeline Ukraine Proposes "Energy Truce" to Russia, Zelensky Says Ukraine Strikes Key Russian Oil Port—Again Ukraine Hits Key Russian Oil Terminal, But Target Disputed Ukraine Strikes Key Russian Oil Hub and Military Aircraft in Crimea Ukraine Offers to Halt Oil Strikes if Russia Stops Bombing Power Grid Ukraine Proposes "Energy Truce" to Russia Ukraine Proposes "Energy Ceasefire" After Hitting Russian Oil Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil, Targeting Iran's War Profits