Zelenskyy: Russian oil output declining amid economic strain from war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia’s oil refining sector and broader economy are under increasing pressure due to international sanctions and wartime costs, arguing that Moscow is facing mounting financial strain.

In a post on X, Zelenskyy said Russian oil refining had dropped by 10% in recent months and claimed that Russian energy companies were being forced to shut down oil wells, which he described as a particularly damaging development for Russia’s production system, Caliber.Az reports.

“In just recent months, Russia’s oil refining has dropped by 10%, and Russian oil companies are being forced to shut down their oil wells,” he wrote.

In just recent months, Russia’s oil refining has dropped by 10%, and Russian oil companies are being forced to shut down their oil wells.

As for Russia’s overall state revenues – thanks to our comprehensive pressure at all levels – within the first five months of this year,… pic.twitter.com/6Dz6VLiYqN

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 18, 2026

He argued that restarting production in Russia is more complex than in many other oil-producing countries, making output losses more difficult to reverse and more economically painful.

Zelenskyy also said Russia’s state budget deficit had widened significantly in the first five months of the year, exceeding earlier projections, which he attributed to coordinated international pressure.

“Putin has, of course, built a war chest – but certainly not enough to fight indefinitely. Every one of our responses, every joint step of pressure together with our partners, pushes Russia closer to ending its war,” he said.

He further claimed that some Russian regions were experiencing financial distress, adding that sanctions and economic restrictions were weakening Moscow’s ability to sustain its war effort.

“And the various schemes they come up with to make money won't help them. We see these Russian schemes. We document them. We will destroy them,” Zelenskyy wrote.

By Sabina Mammadli