Story perspectives

Zelensky: drones inflict $7 B oil loss, troops' pay up.

5/3/2026

Center

Ukrainian Drones Damage

Ukrainian drone strikes have caused at least $7 billion in damage to Russia’s oil industry this year, Zelensky said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced wage hikes and a phased discharge system for Ukrainian troops, to start in June.
Infantry salaries will increase to 250,000-400,000 hryvnias per month, non-combat staff to 20,000-30,000.
Ukrainian forces struck Tuapse’s oil terminal, causing a fire with no casualties.

Right

Zelensky Unveils Contracts

President Volodymyr Zelensky unveiled special infantry contracts ranging from 250,000 to 400,000 hryvnias.
Ukraine will replace open-ended military contracts with time-based discharge criteria for the early-war soldiers, starting in June.
Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov called the changes a systemic transformation adding fair pay and rotation.
Volunteer adviser Serhii Sternenko warned that only successful implementation will enable Ukraine to defeat Russia.

History

Historical Context

In March 1999 NATO launched a 78-day air campaign against Yugoslavia to stop ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, bombing oil facilities, bridges and power plants. The operation flew about 38,000 combat missions, striking strategic infrastructure and prompting Miloševic’s regime to concede. That precedent of targeting energy assets informs Ukraine’s 2024 drone strikes on Russia’s Tuapse terminal ordered by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

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Ukrainian Drones Damage

Ukrainian drone strikes have caused at least $7 billion in damage to Russia’s oil industry this year, Zelensky said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced wage hikes and a phased discharge system for Ukrainian troops, to start in June.
Infantry salaries will increase to 250,000-400,000 hryvnias per month, non-combat staff to 20,000-30,000.
Ukrainian forces struck Tuapse’s oil terminal, causing a fire with no casualties.

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