Overnight on Sunday, drones struck oil facilities at the Tuapse port on Russia’s Black Sea coast, resulting in a major fire on an oil tanker. Multiple sources confirmed the attack, with Russian authorities attributing it to a “drone crash” that damaged port infrastructure. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) later claimed responsibility, stating their Alpha Special Operations Center targeted the tanker and loading infrastructure to limit Russia’s oil income. This strike is part of a larger Ukrainian campaign against Russian oil facilities, which have previously targeted the Tuapse refinery to reduce Moscow’s refining capacity.
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On October 29th, Ukrainian forces reportedly targeted an oil refinery in Russia’s Ulyanovsk Oblast and a chemical plant in Stavropol Krai, according to Russian Telegram channels. The strike on the NS-Oil refinery in Novospasskoye resulted in a large blaze, while the attack on the Stavrolen chemical plant, a Lukoil subsidiary, reportedly caused a radiating fire. These reported attacks are part of Kyiv’s ongoing campaign against Russian infrastructure that supports its war efforts. These reports arrive amid a large Ukrainian drone attack on various Russian regions, including an instance of drones being downed en-route to Moscow.
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On October 27, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces targeted a Russian fuel storage site and oil facility in occupied Luhansk, using precision drone strikes that resulted in explosions and large fires. The operation, designed to disrupt Russian fuel distribution along key supply routes, targeted fully loaded fuel tanks. This action is part of Ukraine’s ongoing asymmetric warfare campaign aimed at degrading Russia’s logistical capabilities and offensive potential. Notably, this follows a long-range drone strike on a Russian oil refinery in Ryazan, which temporarily halted key processing facilities.
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On October 23, the Ukrainian military released footage purportedly showing a Russian FPV drone targeting Ukrainian farmers in Donetsk Oblast, with the 12th Brigade Azov describing it as a “safari” of civilians. The video depicts farmers fleeing agricultural equipment as the drone approaches and crashes into a vehicle. This alleged incident adds to the list of reported war crimes. Additionally, reports indicate Russian soldiers killed at least four civilians sheltering in a basement in Zvanivka, Donetsk Oblast, after attempting to obtain information about Ukrainian positions.
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On October 25th, a Ukrainian drone strike reportedly caused a fire at the Balashovskaya electrical substation in Russia’s Volgograd Oblast, according to regional Governor Andrey Bocharov. The substation, owned by a subsidiary of Rosseti, had already been targeted in a similar attack on October 16th, which caused power outages. This recent strike marks the second such incident in the area, amidst Ukraine’s intensified long-range attacks targeting Russian energy infrastructure, a strategic move aimed at disrupting Moscow’s revenue streams.
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In response to increasing Ukrainian drone strikes, Russia is seeking to bolster its defenses. President Putin is turning to civilian reservists for support, aiming to protect critical infrastructure. The Russian government plans to amend legislation concerning these reservists, who already participate in regular defense training. This move signals a heightened effort to safeguard against further attacks within Russian territory.
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On the morning of October 24, Russian authorities reported a drone attack on Moscow and its surrounding Oblast. Governor Andrei Vorobyov stated that a residential building in Krasnogorsk was damaged, with a drone entering a 13th-floor apartment, resulting in five injuries, including a child. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced that three drones approaching the capital were destroyed. Specialized personnel are currently assessing the debris at the scene of the incident.
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On October 22nd, Ukrainian forces successfully struck the Saransk Mechanical Plant in Mordovia with long-range drones, causing a secondary detonation and damaging a significant area. This facility, which manufactures ammunition components and detonators, was targeted near the settlement of Atemar. Local authorities reported no civilian casualties, although footage showed multiple explosions and large fires. The strike was conducted by the 1st Separate Center of the Drone Forces, part of a larger strategy targeting Russian military-industrial sites.
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On October 22, drones struck key industrial targets within Russia, including a defense-linked mechanical plant in Mordovia and a major oil complex in Dagestan, as reported by Astra. The Saransk Mechanical Plant, which produces munitions and components for the Russian military, was targeted in a precision strike, confirmed by Mordovia’s governor. In Dagestan, a drone hit the DagNefteProdukt oil refinery, causing damage to infrastructure, confirmed by the governor of Dagestan. These attacks occurred hundreds of kilometers from the Ukrainian border, highlighting the increasing reach of Ukrainian drone operations.
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A Russian drone strike targeted a United Nations humanitarian convoy in the Kherson region of Ukraine on Tuesday. The attack, which involved both a drone and artillery, damaged vehicles carrying aid to civilians and prompted international condemnation. An Italian official was reportedly accompanying the convoy at the time of the strike and was unharmed. European officials have called for increased pressure on Russia and full accountability for the incident, which underscores the ongoing conflict and the targeting of civilian infrastructure.
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John Q. Hosedrinker