(KYIV) – Ukrainian forces have crossed the Zherebets River and are advancing deeper into Russian-occupied territory, liberating settlements more than 35 kilometres beyond the line Russian dictator Vladimir Putin claimed was secured only last week. The advance is being acknowledged by Russian military bloggers, who report a lack of personnel and an inability to counter Ukrainian drone barrages.
The counter-offensive includes deep strikes inside Russia. Overnight, Ukrainian forces attacked the city of Taganrog, hitting the former Tagaz automobile plant, which is now used to assemble Molniya strike reconnaissance drones and manufacture components for Orion UAVs. A fuel tank at the complex is reported to be burning. The nearby Taganrog central military airfield, home to Russia’s 708th military transport aviation regiment, and the adjacent 325th aircraft repair plant were also targeted. Ukraine’s SBU security service later confirmed it had hit two UAV storage warehouses, an FPV drone production facility, a Pantsir-S1 air defence unit, a fuel and lubricants tank, and a P-18 radar.
In the Samara region, Ukrainian drones struck the Kuibyshev Azot chemical plant in Tolyatti, a facility producing up to 75 percent of Russia’s polyamide 6 and other chemicals used in wartime applications. The plant remains ablaze.
Further strikes targeted a major logistics centre owned by Ozon in the Saratov region. The facility, covering roughly 100,000 square metres and capable of processing 900,000 orders daily, was hit by Firepoint drones. Reports indicate 85,000 square metres were destroyed.
Ukraine’s campaign against Russian shipping continues in the Black Sea. Footage shows a successful drone attack on a Russian tanker off the coast of Sochi, despite it being escorted by two armed helicopters. This is part of an ongoing effort that has seen 90 percent of Russia’s grain exports blocked.
The strikes are also targeting Russia’s defence industry. Reports indicate that at least two Ukrainian Flamingo cruise missiles struck the Titan-Barrikady military factory in Volgograd, a facility that produces ballistic missile launchers and Iskander missiles.
The cumulative effect on Russia’s economy is deepening. The Russian Grain Union reports an 83 percent year-on-year drop in total grain exports for the first ten days of September, a situation farmers warn could lead to a famine. Meanwhile, a severe fuel crisis is gripping the country. In St Petersburg, queues for petrol have reached up to ten hours, with cars wrapped three times around roundabouts. The shortages are also impacting the oil-producing Khanty-Mansiysk region.
On the diplomatic front, German intelligence has confirmed that Russia was behind a failed plot to blow up a cargo plane at Leipzig airport. In a further sign of Moscow’s isolation, a Russian delegation is confirmed to be attending the G20 energy ministers meeting in Houston next week, despite protests from European delegates.
On the frontline, Russian attacks have hit Kyiv petrol stations, residential buildings in Odesa, and a passenger train in Lutsk. In response to the ongoing threat, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for the delivery of 100 to 120 Patriot missiles monthly and outlined plans to deploy Ukraine’s own FREYJA air defence system as early as December.
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