On October 18, Russian Telegram channels reported a Ukrainian drone strike ignited a fire at the Veshkaima electrical substation in Russia’s Ulyanovsk Oblast. Social media footage purportedly showed drones hitting the 500-kv substation, owned by a Rosseti subsidiary. This attack, which follows a pattern of Ukrainian strikes targeting Russian energy infrastructure, occurred over 900 kilometers east of the Russia-Ukraine border. Earlier in October, similar attacks were reported in Russia’s Volgograd and Belgorod Oblasts.
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Overnight drone strikes targeted energy facilities in Russia’s Volgograd and Saratov regions, damaging infrastructure and causing widespread power outages. A major fire erupted at the Balashovskaya electrical substation following a strike, while the Saratov oil refinery, a key supplier for the Russian military, was also hit. Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed to have intercepted numerous drones, however, multiple impacts and fires were confirmed. These attacks are reportedly part of a campaign to degrade Russia’s military-industrial capabilities.
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Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leading to widespread power outages in Kyiv and other regions. The attacks, which included missile and drone strikes, are believed to be a tactic deployed in the past, aimed at depriving Ukrainians of essential resources ahead of winter. Ukrainian officials reported casualties and injuries, including the death of a child, and significant damage to energy facilities, causing interruptions to power and water supplies. The government is actively working to restore power and water, with repair crews deployed across the affected regions.
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Early Friday, Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine, targeting energy infrastructure and residential areas. The assault resulted in casualties, including a child, and widespread power outages affecting over half of Kyiv, along with water supply issues. At least ten energy facilities were hit, prompting emergency crews to work to restore power, as emergency blackouts were implemented in the Kyiv region. Residential buildings in Kyiv also sustained damage from drone strikes, causing fires in a high-rise apartment block.
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A Ukrainian strike on October 5th damaged energy facilities in Belgorod, Russia, leaving nearly 40,000 residents without power and causing significant damage across seven municipalities. Emergency crews were deployed, and hospitals switched to backup power as partial outages persisted the following day. Ukraine’s military intelligence released an alleged intercepted phone call describing widespread blackouts and internet outages. This attack follows weeks of intensified Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, with President Zelensky warning of retaliation.
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On October 5th, Russian strikes across Ukraine resulted in five fatalities and significant damage to energy infrastructure, leading to power outages for tens of thousands and prompting Poland to elevate its ground defenses. These attacks included 496 drones and 53 missiles, primarily targeting civilian infrastructure such as gas and energy facilities, as stated by Ukrainian officials. While the majority of the attacks were repelled by Ukrainian forces, there was an increase in attacks on energy networks, with the hardest-hit area being Zaporizhzhia, where over 73,000 people lost power. These actions have intensified international concerns, leading to increased vigilance by NATO allies.
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Overnight on October 4, a drone attack ignited a fire at an oil refinery in Kirishi, Russia, which was confirmed by regional officials. Local reports and photos indicated an explosion and flames at the facility, identified by sources as one of Russia’s largest, opened in 2017. This marks at least the fourth time the refinery has been targeted, with previous attacks attributed to Ukraine, although there has been no immediate comment on this instance. Ukrainian forces have increasingly targeted Russia’s oil industry, viewing refineries as legitimate military targets supporting the ongoing conflict.
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Recent Ukrainian drone attacks have significantly impacted Russia’s oil refining capabilities, leading to a severe fuel shortage. As of late September, nearly 40% of Russia’s primary refining capacity was offline, with gasoline output dropping significantly and causing a roughly 20% shortfall in domestic demand. These outages are unprecedented, with drone strikes directly causing about 70% of the shutdowns, hitting over two dozen major refineries. The crisis has prompted the Kremlin to ban gasoline exports and drop import duties, while the public faces rationing and rising prices.
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Reports from Russian Telegram channels indicate that Ukrainian HIMARS rockets struck a thermal power plant near Belgorod on September 28, leading to power outages across the region. Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed the strike on critical infrastructure, although the extent of the damage remains unknown. This attack aligns with Ukraine’s recent intensification of strikes against Russian energy infrastructure, a strategic move impacting Moscow’s revenues and armed forces’ logistics. Furthermore, Belgorod, located near the Ukrainian border, has been a regular target of Ukrainian strikes.
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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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John Q. Hosedrinker