{
  "id": 6528483,
  "title": "Zelenskyy’s big bet: Ukraine can outlast Russia",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/zelenskyys-big-bet-ukraine-can-outlast-russia",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-10T02:59:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Politico EU",
    "slug": "politico-eu",
    "url": "https://www.politico.eu/article/volodymyr-zelenskyy-gamble-ukraine-russia-vladimir-putin-peace-talks-pressure/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is placing a significant wager that pushing the conflict further into Russia will compel Vladimir Putin to engage in sincere peace negotiations. Thus far, Putin has managed to shield the average Russian from the full brunt of the war. To break this barrier, Zelenskyy has intensified attacks on Russian infrastructure, disrupting aviation, and striking vital industrial sites located within Russia. The objective is to amplify the economic and political burden on Russians, faster than Putin can escalate the military and civilian costs on Ukrainians. Ukraine intensified its strikes on Russia in August, targeting not just military installations but also oil refineries, factories, and warehouses of prominent e-commerce companies like Wildberries and Ozon. The campaign has spurred domestic frustration in Russia, manifesting as fuel shortages, flight disruptions, and the collapse of online retail. Ukraine has ramped up the production of attack drones to sustain the war, but evidence of its impact on Putin's grip on power remains scant. While coups against Putin have been predicted, they have not materialized. However, the air campaign has made the war more palpable for ordinary Russians, causing unease. The Kremlin's ability to control public dissent has been challenged by this new reality; ordinary Russians are witnessing firsthand the devastation. This has been underscored by the Kremlin’s reluctance to host a large Victory Day parade in May and subsequent strikes on major Russian refineries, fuel infrastructure, and oil terminals around Moscow. In July, Ukrainian drones reached the Omsk refinery in Siberia, showcasing their capabilities. The Russian media has reported on the impact of strikes on Wildberries and Ozon warehouses, with sellers lamenting the loss of years of work and livelihoods. Pro-war military bloggers have criticized the Russian forces, highlighting their ineffectiveness. However, these complaints may not be enough to compel Putin to end the war. Former NATO official John Lough asserts that while the attacks damage Putin's credibility among elites, they haven't spurred a revolution or coup. Nonetheless, if fuel shortages persist and more warehouses burn, public discontent may grow, prompting questions about the war's duration and purpose. To exacerbate the pressure, Zelenskyy is now aiming to limit Russia's commercial airspace. He has warned foreign airlines to avoid Russia, stating that the skies over Russia will become increasingly hostile due to Ukraine's drone operations. Tim Willasey-Wilsey, a former British diplomat, describes Ukraine's air campaign as \"very, very successful,\" but Ukraine's own situation remains precarious, particularly as it braces for another harsh winter. With limited defenses against Russia's ballistic missile attacks, Ukraine is concerned about its ability to withstand the upcoming winter, generating additional pressure on Zelenskyy to continue his \"big bet\" on outlasting Russia.",
  "summary": "Deep strikes inside Russia aim to raise pressure on Vladimir Putin as Kyiv braces for another punishing winter.",
  "key_points": [
    "Zelenskyy intensifies attacks on Russian infrastructure to pressure Putin into peace talks.",
    "Ukraine targets oil refineries, factories, and e-commerce warehouses in Russia.",
    "War's economic impact creates domestic frustration in Russia, but no coup has occurred."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}