On September 24, the Ukrainian Armed Forces confirmed a successful strike on a Russian drone production site in Valuyki, Belgorod Oblast, as part of efforts to degrade the enemy’s military capabilities. The General Staff reported the attack aimed to disrupt UAV production, with hits and a fire being observed. Local reports and the regional governor confirmed the attack, with the governor noting 34 UAVs targeted the area. Further damage assessment is still underway.
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On September 25, Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) reported a successful drone attack on occupied Crimea, destroying two Russian An-26 transport aircraft and two radar stations. This strike is part of a larger effort to eliminate valuable Russian assets on the peninsula. The An-26 aircraft, commonly used for troop and cargo transport, were targeted along with a surface surveillance radar system and a coastal radar station. This attack continues the trend of intensified operations against Russian military infrastructure in Crimea, following similar strikes in recent weeks.
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Moscow officials have confirmed a drone attack on the city, with air defense systems working to repel the assault. Explosions were reported across multiple districts, prompting emergency services to respond. Flight delays were observed at several major airports, although airport closures were denied. The mayor of Moscow reported that nine drones were shot down.
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Recent Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted Russian-occupied areas, including factories believed to be command centers. These attacks, showcased in social media videos, highlight a growing sophistication in Ukrainian air assaults. However, Russia has responded by increasingly censoring footage of the attacks, banning the distribution of unofficial images and videos in various regions to control information flow and prevent public panic. This censorship complicates the assessment of strike results and underscores the ongoing information war alongside the physical conflict.
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On September 18th, Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat petrochemical plant in Russia’s Bashkortostan Republic, resulting in a fire and “massive explosion” at a crude oil processing unit. Separately, Ukrainian forces also struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Volgograd Oblast, which is a key supplier to the Russian military and forced operations to cease. The attacks are part of a broader strategy to disrupt Russia’s oil industry. While Russian authorities claimed to have intercepted numerous Ukrainian drones across several regions, The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims.
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Deep strike: Ukrainian drones hit major Russian oil plants 1,300 km from front lines – that’s the headline, and it’s a significant one. It really drives home just how far Ukraine can now reach inside Russia, delivering what amounts to a harsh dose of reality to the enemy’s doorstep, or, more accurately, their gas station. It’s a testament to the ingenuity and determination of the Ukrainian forces. This isn’t just about military targets; it’s about disrupting the very fabric of Russia’s war machine, potentially forcing them to confront their own resource limitations and perhaps even start importing fuel again, which would be quite a reversal.… Continue reading
Ukraine targeted Russian oil production capacity, launching a series of drone strikes over a weekend. Attacks hit the Primorsk oil terminal, impacting sanctioned oil tankers and onshore loading equipment, potentially cutting loading capacity in half. Subsequently, the Kirishi oil refinery, a key supplier to St. Petersburg, was also targeted. In addition to drone strikes, a fuel train on the Orel-St. Petersburg railroad was blown up by Ukrainian operatives. President Zelensky emphasized that such attacks on Russia’s oil infrastructure are effective.
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A Ukrainian drone struck a major Russian oil refining complex belonging to Bashneft near Ufa, sparking a fire and causing minor damage, according to a Russian official. Videos showed a drone exploding at the facility, with another drone reportedly shot down. The attack, for which Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency claimed responsibility, is part of a broader effort to disrupt Russia’s ability to fund its ongoing conflict. This follows a series of similar attacks on Russian refineries, which have impacted fuel prices and processing capacity.
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Ukrainian Military Intelligence (HUR) reported a successful drone strike on a high-value Russian Black Sea Fleet vessel near Novorossiysk, disabling a Project MPSV07 multipurpose support ship valued at $60 million. The attack targeted the ship’s bridge, destroying navigation and surveillance systems, forcing it out of service and requiring costly repairs. This strike occurred while the Russian vessel was conducting electronic reconnaissance and patrolling the approaches to Novorossiysk Bay. The attack is part of Ukraine’s intensified use of domestically produced drones, following other successful operations against Russian assets, including a strike on a Russian military tugboat in Sevastopol Bay.
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A fire erupted at an oil depot in the Russian village of Prokhorovka, Belgorod Oblast, following a reported drone attack. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed the fire was extinguished with no casualties, though some storage tanks were damaged. The Russian Defence Ministry stated air defenses intercepted and destroyed 31 Ukrainian drones across several regions, including seven over Belgorod Oblast. Gladkov provided no details on the extent of the damage from the incident.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood