04/23/2026
Head of the Presidential Office Kirill Budanov said that drone strikes on Russia’s oil infrastructure have not only an economic effect. He stressed the importance of the reputational consequences for the aggressor country. Russia’s ability to fulfill its obligations to partners is under threat.
Budanov’s position was reported by RBC-Ukraine, which quoted his speech at the 18th Kyiv Security Forum. The material contains the official’s direct words regarding Russia’s key losses.
In particular, he emphasized: “Everyone has heard the official data from the president, I confirm them. But unfulfilled contracts are much more interesting.”
Reputation under attack
Budanov noted that the main effect of the attacks is not financial losses or reduced production. He emphasized the image of the state as a supplier capable of fulfilling agreements. And here, according to him, the situation for Russia looks worse.
“Russia is suffering an image blow. This is the most important thing. The oil price is still somehow balanced, the war will end – it will stabilize anyway. But the image blow will work for a very long time,” he explained. In fact, we are talking about trust, which is not lost immediately, but then it is difficult to regain.
Sometimes it looks less tangible than the dollar figures. But it is these things, the official noted, that shape partners’ decisions for years to come.
Market implications
Budanov called the most important result of the strikes the disruption of contracts for the supply of raw materials. This means a loss of trust on the part of the buyer countries and creates risks for future deals. Partners may begin to look for alternative sources of supply to avoid such disruptions.
Furthermore, reputational losses do not disappear with the end of hostilities. They accumulate and affect long-term cooperation. And this is perhaps even more important than short-term financial indicators.
In parallel, the pressure on the Russian energy sector is also increasing due to sanctions policy. The Ukrainian presidential representative for sanctions Vladyslav Vlasyuk previously reported details of the 20th package of EU sanctions. According to him, the restrictions are aimed, in particular, at the maritime transportation of oil and at persons involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children.
Earlier, OBOZ.UA reported how Budanov clearly outlined Ukraine’s position, naming the red line regarding Donbas. Ukraine is not considering any options for concessions on the Donbas issue and is not going to give up its territories. The key principle remains the preservation of territorial integrity and a solution that will meet the interests of Ukrainians.
Much of what Budanov said also pertains to the U.S. Under Trump, we have lost our soul, the trust of our friends and allies, and our reputation is ruined across the globe. In these respects, we are like mafia land.
Im hoping and praying the next POTUS can undo this mess, but, your right, everyone will be hesitant, as “good times” can potentially only last 4 years, minimum…
I also hope that the next POTUS will be a rational one. This means, more rational people will have to make sure they vote.
You should get a gold star from the Kremlin for that one…
Imagine the orcs trying to promote the effectiveness of their air defences once mafia land are defeated. No doubt some shitholes like India will still buy the crap, but not too many will go for it.
Indeed, as Barnum once famously said, there’s a sucker born every minute.