Ukraine Declares Success in '40-Day Operation,' Claims $12.2 Billion Loss for Russian Logistics

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has evaluated that the 40-day operation launched in late June has concluded successfully.

According to local media outlet The Kyiv Independent on the 9th (local time), President Zelenskyy recently appeared on a united Ukrainian TV news program and estimated that Russia's logistics network losses resulting from the 40-day operation amounted to $12.2 billion (approx. 17 trillion won).

He emphasized, "I am entirely satisfied (with the results of the 40-day operation)," adding, "We know how much they have lost through the attacks on their logistics network."

He stated, "Ever since they began targeting our logistics network, we responded with another logistics operation," and added, "Their losses are colossal, and they are facing serious problems."

The Security Service of Ukraine also released a statement on the 4th summarizing the achievements of the 40-day operation, stating, "It aimed to simultaneously weaken key elements of the Russian military apparatus."

Ukrainian officials claim that Wildberries logistics warehouses were used for military purposes.

Starting from the 18th of last month, Ukraine attacked at least 20 Wildberries logistics warehouses across Russia, including in Kotovsk, Saint Petersburg, and Perm.

It was reported that warehouse operation rates decreased by about 10%, and tens of thousands of small and medium-sized businesses selling goods and services on the platform suffered significant losses.

Wildberries is Russia's largest online retailer, with approximately 81 million monthly active users.

There are also speculations that Ukraine's latest 40-day operation is intended to impact next month's Russian parliamentary elections.

A Ukrainian official familiar with the operation planning told The Kyiv Independent, "One of the goals of the 40-day operation is to make Russians directly feel the impact of the war ahead of the September elections."

This year's Russian parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held from September 18 to 20.

Residents of Ukrainian territories annexed by Russia after occupation, such as the Donbas (Donetsk and Luhansk) and Novorossiya (the Black Sea coastal region), will participate in these elections for the first time.

Since entering the "40-day operation" in June, Ukraine has ramped up its offensive targeting Black Sea tankers supplying materials to the Crimean Peninsula and rear-area energy facilities.

In particular, distribution networks such as Wildberries logistics warehouses have emerged as new targets following the launch of the operation.

As clashes between Russia and Ukraine have recently intensified again, civilian casualties are occurring almost daily.

According to Russian regional authorities, the western Russian border city of Belgorod was attacked by Ukraine overnight, resulting in the deaths of three civilians.

In Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city bordering Belgorod, Russian drone strikes damaged apartment buildings and killed two civilians.

Russia's Black Sea port region of Odesa was also attacked, damaging port facilities and injuring eight residents.

Two oil-related facilities in the Sumy region were also attacked.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.