(KYIV) – Ukraine has resumed strikes on Russian oil refineries, hitting four facilities in two days and six in the past week, after a brief pause during the UN General Assembly aimed at offering an energy ceasefire. Moscow declined the proposal.
The Perm refinery, Russia’s seventh largest and located approximately 1,600 kilometres from Ukraine’s border, was struck on successive occasions. Open source intelligence identified the AVT-5 crude distillation unit as the target, accounting for 34 percent of the plant’s refining capacity. Reuters reported the facility has halted all operations. The refinery had previously been struck on 21st August, 29th July, 8th May, 7th May and 30th April.
The Novoshakhtinsk refinery in Rostov Oblast suspended operations, confirmed by the regional governor. Located 250 kilometres from the border, it was previously struck on 25th August and in December last year.
The Ilsky refinery in Krasnodar Krai was struck by Fire Point drones, according to the manufacturer. Satellite imagery showed the AVT-4, AVT-5 and AVT-6 units were hit, accounting for 99 percent of the refinery’s capacity. It had previously been struck on 8th August, 10th July, 2nd June, 17th February and 1st January.
The Afipsky refinery, also in Krasnodar Krai, was struck for the sixth time this year. Previous strikes occurred on 25th August, 13th July, 11th June, 14th March and in December last year.
Ukraine also struck defence production facilities. The Voronezh synthetic rubber plant, which manufactures chemical raw materials for solid rocket fuel used in Iskander ballistic missiles, was hit by at least six drones over several hours. Open source intelligence recorded seven impacts. Video footage showed locals filming the attack, with one resident asking: “Am I supposed to go to work tomorrow?” The building sustained extensive damage, with windows blown out across multiple floors.
In Rostov Oblast, the Azov optical mechanical plant was struck by a drone swarm. At least five workshops across six buildings were damaged. Satellite imagery showed collapsed roofs, impact holes and structural damage.
Ukrainian forces destroyed a record 76 Russian air defence systems this month, according to analysts. Russia produces approximately 20 air defence systems monthly, meaning the losses represent more than three and a half months of production. Most remaining systems are concentrated around Moscow and St Petersburg.
Russia’s air defences will be unable to protect all strategic sites once Ukraine’s ballistic missiles are ready. The Fire Point 7, with a range of 200 kilometres, is expected to be test launched on a Russian target imminently. The longer range system, with a range of approximately 800 kilometres, is expected later this year. Russia has never intercepted a ballistic missile travelling at Mach 7 to 9.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said over 10,000 Russian troops were killed or wounded this week as Ukrainian forces advanced in the Lyman sector. Russian forces have fallen back to a line along the Zherebets River, according to Russian war bloggers, with fighting ongoing in areas of the formerly Russian held salient. Ukraine’s counter offensive is now working towards crossing the river.
The Institute for the Study of War has declared that the war has entered a new phase. George Barros said: “The war in Ukraine is competitive and far from stalemated.” Russian rates of advance are stagnating while Ukrainian forces employ novel tactics and operational concepts to break out of positional warfare. This year is objectively the worst for Russian forces on the battlefield since the full scale invasion began.
Ukrainian journalist and service member Kyrylo Sazonov said: “The offensive towards Dobropillia has been stopped. The attempt to encircle Pokrovsk and advance towards Kramatorsk has also been stopped. The territory they practically considered their own has been completely cleared after several days of relentless work by the Azov soldiers.” The Third Assault Brigade, Azov and other units used an operational pause to prepare a counterattack at Lyman and clear the area around Dobropillia. Ukrainian airborne forces, including the 7th Air Assault Corps and the 225th Separate Assault Regiment, are operating near Toretsk.
French President Emmanuel Macron cited intelligence reports indicating Russia is preparing to mobilise 300,000 people. President Zelenskyy warned in August that Russia is preparing to call up 600,000 men over 2026 and 2027. The Kremlin denies mobilisation plans.
The Kremlin has been caught in its first post election lie. On 9th September, Dmitry Peskov assured the Russian people there would be no additional tax increases. Following the State Duma elections, the Finance Ministry proposed raising excess profit taxes on non ferrous metal producers, fertiliser manufacturers and gold miners, as well as introducing a 22 percent VAT on e commerce. When asked to comment, Peskov said: “I wouldn’t. You need to contact the government or the Ministry of Finance.”
Krasnodar Krai has declared a state of emergency over the impact of Ukrainian strikes on grain exports. The governor signed the decree on Wednesday, retroactively effective from 12th August, citing mass attacks on logistics facilities, suspended port operations and disrupted shipping in the Azov and Black Sea basins. The Sea of Azov had 134 ships logged on 7th June. Today there are eight. Maritime traffic for all ports and coastal cities on Russia’s southern coast has halted for three months.
Russia struck a second civilian ship in the Black Sea in six days, killing both captains on a route carrying 90 percent of Ukraine’s farm exports. Russia continues strikes on Odesa port infrastructure and is attempting to isolate Ukraine from the Romanian border, striking bridges, gas stations and border checkpoints with Moldova and Romania.
Russian attacks killed six and injured 45 across Ukraine as Kyiv endured a second day of non stop strikes. A Russian drone struck an office building in Kyiv, killing four people, including a 14 year old boy in a separate morning attack. Seven others were injured, including a child. President Zelenskyy said: “My condolences to their families and loved ones. I thank all of our emergency services, which always respond quickly to help people after Russian attacks.”
Ukrainian journalist Maria Avdeeva, reporting from Kyiv, said: “I just wanted everyone to hear what terror Russia is doing here in Kyiv in Ukraine daily. Not daily, hourly. In the morning they killed a 14 year old boy and in the afternoon they killed four people in the street. It’s a daily terror that the world keeps a blind eye on. Stop Russia. Stop this terror.”
A McDonald’s distribution warehouse was destroyed in a Kyiv drone attack that killed five. The targeting of an American company suggests Russia is deliberately attacking US businesses. Despite expectations that American commercial presence would deter Russian attacks, Moscow has continued strikes.
Russian strikes on Kyiv data centres disrupted operations at several Ukrainian media outlets, causing a 50 percent outage in the capital for several hours. Russia is attempting to destroy Ukraine’s internet infrastructure.
Ukraine’s jet drone interception rate has reached 55 percent. President Zelenskyy said: “In September, the Russians launched more than 2,730 jet powered shots and more than 500 were shot down or suppressed. Unfortunately, a significant share still reach their targets. But step by step, we in Ukraine will build up our defences to a level no lower than what we already have against regular Shaheds, more than 90 percent of which are shot down.”
Russia plans to spend $12 billion (£9 billion) on jet powered drone and loitering munition production next year. This compares with Russia’s total military budget of $65 billion in 2021. President Zelenskyy warned that Russia intends to expand its war to more countries and regions.
Russian state media deleted an opinion piece calling for an attack on Lithuania. The article, published in RIA Novosti, was removed after going viral. Political scientist Alexander Nosovich highlighted Lithuania’s parliamentary approval of a constitutional amendment lifting the ban on deploying nuclear weapons on its territory. He called Lithuania “a country of idiots” and stated that a special military operation against Lithuania “will be very short”. The article suggested Russia could avoid a ground operation and immediately strike with missiles carrying appropriate warheads.
Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced the launch of an “Army of Robots” initiative. He said: “In 2022, we launched the Army of Drones. Today, drones account for over 95 percent of battlefield strikes, and Ukraine has more than 700 drone manufacturers. Now, we need the next technological breakthrough, the robotisation of warfare. The goal is simple: save lives. Robots should take on the most dangerous missions.” The initiative aims to invest in defence technology companies, launch technology projects, test them with the military and scale what works on the battlefield. Ukrainian forces are testing combat exoskeletons on the front lines, with frames relieving up to 30 percent of the load from the back.
Russia holds approximately 2,000 people hostage in Oleshky without food or water. Ukraine flew 4,000 kilograms of food to locals across the Dnipro River. The city, on the opposite bank from Kherson, has been cut off since April. Roads have checkpoints and are mined. Residents attempting to leave are turned away or killed. No food, water, medicine, electricity or internet is getting in. Ukraine has been airdropping supplies by drone and occasionally evacuating people by boat. A banner reading “Save Oleshky” was displayed at a Hungary versus Ukraine football match.
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