Russia has spent over $18 billion on missile and drone attacks against Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion, with oil and gas revenues being the primary source of funding for its war efforts.
Since the full-scale invasion began, Russia has allocated more than $18 billion to missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, according to a Ukrainian official. These ongoing attacks, which have become a hallmark of Russia’s strategy, continue to drain substantial financial resources. As long as Russia has the funds, there are concerns that the attacks will escalate, further intensifying the war.
The primary source of funding for these operations remains Russia’s oil and gas revenues. The ongoing sale of energy exports has allowed Moscow to sustain its military ambitions despite international sanctions. Ukrainian representatives stressed the importance of cutting off these financial flows by enhancing sanctions on Russia’s economy, as they are directly linked to the country’s ability to fund its war machine.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously remarked that Russia’s financial gains from its shadow fleet, which operates outside international scrutiny to circumvent sanctions, have already surpassed the total amount of foreign aid Ukraine has received since the war began. This shadow fleet plays a crucial role in ensuring that Russia continues to profit from its energy exports, despite global attempts to curb such activities.
In addition, international reports have revealed the extent to which the shadow fleet has evaded sanctions, helping finance Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. As long as this underground network operates, Russia’s capacity to wage war remains robust, posing an ongoing challenge to the global efforts to halt the conflict.
