Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday that he had approved a 40-day “operation of influence” by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) aimed at compelling Russia to end the war. The announcement, made on his Telegram channel after a meeting with SBU chief Yevhen Khmara, provided no details on the nature of the operation. According to Zelensky’s statement, the operation is designed to “force” the “aggressor state” to cease hostilities.

The move follows a sustained campaign of Ukrainian medium- and long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries and depots. Ukrainian officials say these attacks have caused fuel shortages in more than 60 Russian regions, with images of burning facilities widely circulated. In his nightly address, Zelensky said the SBU had demonstrated “the highest performance” in defending frontline positions using various types of drones. Kyiv also claims that in May it recaptured more territory from Russian forces than it lost for the first time since 2023, though independent assessments indicate the front lines have remained largely static for months.

Viewed from Moscow, the announcement was met with scepticism. Russian state media quoted a former Ukrainian presidential aide, Oleg Soskin, who described the military situation for Kyiv as “catastrophic everywhere” and pointed to difficulties in Ukraine’s EU accession process. Separately, a former Ukrainian lawmaker now in detention, Alexander Dubinsky, was cited as saying Zelensky’s threats were an attempt to distract from corruption scandals and to present himself favourably to US President Donald Trump. The Kremlin has not officially commented on the 40-day operation, but Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov demanded clarification from Washington after Trump reportedly told G7 counterparts that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not want peace.

The announcement comes amid a diplomatic impasse. According to Western officials, the Trump administration has repeatedly attempted to broker a ceasefire, but all initiatives have been rejected by Moscow. Trump’s reported remarks at the G7 summit signal growing US frustration with Russia’s stance. The SBU operation, whatever its precise form, appears designed to sustain pressure on Russia at a moment when the battlefield has ossified and diplomatic channels remain blocked. No further details on the operation’s scope or methods have been disclosed, and its potential impact on the trajectory of the conflict remains uncertain.