Zelensky Tells UN Russia's War Revenues Must Remain a Target

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the United Nations General Assembly this week that Ukraine's strikes on Russian energy facilities are aimed at depriving Moscow of the revenue it needs to finance and continue its invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking during the high-level General Assembly session in New York, Zelensky argued that targeting Russia's energy sector, which generates substantial export revenue for the Russian state, is a legitimate and necessary element of Ukraine's defense strategy.

Strategy and context

Ukraine has carried out a sustained campaign of strikes against Russian oil refineries, energy infrastructure and export facilities over the course of the war, seeking to reduce the flow of revenue that supports Russia's military spending. Russian energy exports, particularly oil, have remained a significant source of state income despite Western sanctions targeting the sector.

Zelensky's remarks come as Ukraine continues to seek expanded international support, including weapons, financing and sanctions enforcement against Russia, during a week of high-level diplomacy in New York. He has used the UN platform in past years to press allies for continued backing as the war drags on.

Russia has not issued an immediate public response to Zelensky's UN address. The Kremlin has previously characterized Ukrainian strikes on its energy infrastructure as attacks that it says justify retaliatory strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure.

The war, now well into its fourth year, continues to be a central topic of discussion among world leaders gathered for the General Assembly session.