The Under Reported War - Issue 30
Pokrovsk offensive misfires / US munitions delivered to Ukraine / Giant underwater drone unveiled / Russian flying boats blown up / Buks galore destroyed / Refineries galore attacked
Welcome to a weekly roundup of news from the war in Ukraine you probably did not hear about.
All reports are linked to their sources so you can read the original if you’d like to. If you have any questions, detect errors and omissions, or need more detail, just let me know.
Here are some of the things you probably did not hear about for the week covering Sunday 14th to Saturday 27th September 2025:
Ukraine smuggled drones into Russia a year ago then used them to blow up a Russian arsenal on one of largest explosions of the war
Russia reduced to using WWII German munitions on the battlefield
Pokrovsk still has not fallen. Sorry, doom-sayers
Russia may be running out of missile for a key part of its air defences
Gasoline queues grow in Russia as more refineries explode
Ukraine has a humongous underwater drone
Window jumping season has begun
By the way, today is Day 1,313 of Putin’s 3-Day Special Military Operation.
We are starting to see a lot more high-speed interceptor footage. This Gerbera drone was equipped with two rear-facing cameras on its nose yet they did not warn it’s operator that a Ukrainian interceptor drone was closing fast / Screengrab
FOUR HEADLINES THAT NEVER WERE (BUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN)
Daylight at night. The 107th Arsenal at Toropets detonates in the far distance / Screengrab
SPIDERWEB BEFORE SPIDERWEB
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As you may recall, earlier this year, Ukraine launched short-range drones against Russia’s bomber fleet. Hidden in trucks , It was a dramatic attack but it was not the first of this kind.
Exactly a year ago, Ukrainian special forces smuggled early versions of the FP-1 kamikaze drones deep into Russia and then launched them against the GRAU munitions depot at Toropets in Tver oblast. It was one of the largest explosions in this war so far. It is estimated that several months worth of Russia’s entire artillery supply were destroyed in the cataclysmic blast.
Video of the drones being launched has just been declassified. Some clever detective work correlated the position of the constellations filmed in the background night sky with the timing of the minor earthquakes triggered by the Toropets explosions. It shows that the FP-1s were launched from Russian soil.
OSINT Research Indicates Strike on GRAU Arsenal Was Launched From Russian Territory [in a] Daring Operation (VIDEO)
https://en.defence-ua.com/news/osint_research_indicates_the_ssu_strike_on_grau_arsenal_in_toropets_was_launched_from_Russian_territory_marking_the_most_daring_operation-15865.html
“Despite the lack of information about the launch site and less than 30 seconds of night-time footage, partly captured through a night-vision device, there is enough evidence to conclude that the drones were launched from Russian territory.”
Ukrainian special forces launch a FP-1 drone towards the GRAU arsenal at Toropets / Screengrab
This screengrab shows the exhaust (circled in red) of the departing drone. The constellations in the night-time sky can be seen clearly / Screengrab
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REFINERY ATTACKS EXPAND
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This map is already out of date, but it gives a good idea of how
New Map of campaign Against Russian Oil Refineries
Special Kherson Cat
“A total of 13 refineries have been attacked, combined processing capacity of targeted oil refineries — 114.5 [million] tons per year.”
Many of these refineries have been attacked again since this map was made / Special Kherson Cat
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“I FEEL LIKE I’M IN THE HUNGER GAMES”
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Drones, imaginary Nazis, Muslim immigrants, foreign migrants, ethnic cleansing… maybe all of them. Demoralised Russian soldiers blame everyone but themselves and their ‘master strategist’ Vladimir Putin.
Russian Army Morale Plummets
ChrisO_wiki
“Tired, depressed, and angry Russian soldiers mobilised in 2022 have been reflecting on their three years at war. “I feel like I’m in The Hunger Games”, one remarks. Others speculate that the Russian government wants to exterminate ethnic Russians.
As evidence, they cite the Russian army’s notorious “meat wave” tactics and its inability to counter Ukraine’s ‘wall of drones’: “[There are] ten [Ukrainian] drones for every [Russian] man. Why don’t we have that many drones?”“
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DUMPSTER DIVING FOR JET ENGINES
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Flamingo news. Recycling matters, even in the middle of a war. The missile-maker Fire Point got creative in the search for the An-25 jet engines its Flamingo missile uses. Since the Flamingo only flies for a few hours, engines near the end of their lives were installed. Another supply was found buried in a landfill. That sounds very unlikely because jet engines are vulnerable to corrosion. Fire Point say otherwise, so I guess they must be okay.
Fire Point [Recycles Old] Jet Engines for [Flamingo] Cruise Missile
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/fire-point-localizes-production-of-jet-engines-for-cruise-missiles/
“The Ukrainian company Fire Point has created a stock of jet engines for Flamingo cruise missiles and is building a new plant for their licensed production..
Fire Point bought a large stock of old aircraft engines with a residual life of up to 10 hours. They can no longer be used on aircraft, but their operating time is sufficient for the necessary tests after repair and the real flight phase – 3.5 hours.
The developers actually “found” the current months-long stock in a landfill and restored it.”
The An-25 engine was a popular choice in small jets. There are many out-of-date An-25s in storage. Ukraine has found a way to put them to one final use / Karol Placha Hetman
RUSSIA’S ‘INVINCIBLE WAR MACHINE’
JUST WHEN TANKS BECOME OBSOLETE ON THE BATTLEFIELD….
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…Moscow touts new tank production in Omsk—analysts cry hype
https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/09/15/t80-production-omsk-uralvagonzavod-4000-tanks-loss/
“Russia may have fired up a second production line for new tanks. But how many new T-80s is Uralvagonzavod actually producing?”
What this war has show time and again is that all of Russia’s armoured vehicles cannot survive inside Ukraine’s Drone Wall. This piece of PR puffery sounds dubious, but it is the kind of claim that clueless Western journalists and pundits like to repeat. At least in Ukraine, reporters see it for what it is.
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RUSSIA USING NAZI EQUIPMENT
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Russian shells armed with ancient WWII German-made fuses have been recovered by a Ukrainian reconnaissance team. It shows how depleted the Kremlin’s munitions stockpiles have become. Germany doesn’t even posess German munitions that old. Or munitions from anywhere that old.
Nazi Artillery Detonator on the Russian Front Line
https://en.defence-ua.com/analysis/why_german_kl_az_23_umg_fuzes_on_the_front_line_matter-15858.html
“Reconnaissance by the TUR unit recently uncovered a curious find on Russian ammunition depot: German Kl. Az. 23 umg detonators dating from World War II. On close inspection the devices bear the WaA stamp with a code and the eagle-and-swastika mark.”
Kl.Az23umg artillery fuse stamped the Nazi eagle and swastika / The Vodohrai magazine
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BRIBE OR DIE
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This is not the first time I’ve linked to a story like this. It won’t be the last either.
Corrupt Commanders Demand Bribes to Stay Alive
ChrisO_wiki
“Russian soldiers and their relatives are being forced to pay monthly ‘life support’ fees – bribes to avoid being sent into deadly assaults – to corrupt commanders, according to the wife of one soldier. She says that men in his unit are beaten and threatened with execution.”
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RUSSIA’S NORTH KOREAN ALLIES “STARVING”
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North Korean soldiers have experienced the everyday contempt most Russians hold for foreigners. The Russian army will always feed its own first.
North Korean Troops in Russia Are Starving in Kursk Region
https://en.defence-ua.com/news/north_korean_troops_in_Russia_are_starving_in_kursk_region-12747.html
“Tensions are rising among North Korean soldiers stationed in Russia’s Kursk region due to inadequate food supplies. The servicemen, deployed as part of a contingent supporting Russia’s military efforts, have voiced dissatisfaction over insufficient rations, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine reports.”
NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINE
UPDATE: POKROVSK
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Western journalists and pundits continue to hype the fighting around Pokrovsk.
‘The Largest Battle of the Entire War’ Is About to Begin in Eastern Ukraine
Trench Art
“Russian and Ukrainian forces surge toward Pokrovsk.
With 150,000 Russians taking up positions opposite 50,000 or more dug-in Ukrainians, the bloodletting could be staggering”
Spooked by Drones, Russian Marines Call Off Their Tank Attack For Now—But Waiting Adds Risk
Trench Art
“As the weather cools, trees lose their leaves—and Russian tanks lose concealment.”
Ukrainian troops are on the attack in Sumy—and advancing
https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/09/16/sumy-fall-back/
“Moscow stripped troops from Sumy to double down on its attack in Donetsk. For Kyiv, that was an opportunity.”Russia Prepares Final Push To Capture Pokrovsk
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidkirichenko/2025/09/15/Russia-prepares-final-push-to-capture-pokrovsk/
“Russia hopes that taking Pokrovsk will provide an opportunity to seize the rest of Donetsk Oblast. According to Ukrainian military officials, the Russians are now aiming for a “decisive breakthrough” in Pokrovsk, redeploying experienced marine units to the area.”
One Last Push?
https://samf.substack.com/p/one-last-push
“Russian forces are pressed for time, because of worsening weather as well as the Kremlin’s political imperatives. Fighting is underway in several sectors, but the bulk of reported activity in recent weeks concerns Pokrovsk a city the Russians must take if they are to have a chance of occupying the rest of Donetsk…
Hence the sense of ‘one last push,’ that is starting to surround their efforts in this area, with reports suggesting that troops, and even armour, are being amassed for yet another offensive. ”
The Ground Shakes in Eastern Ukraine As Russia’s Biggest Division And Its T-90M Tanks Prepare to Attack
TrenchArt
“The 90th Tank Division is repositioning for a major river battle.”
Why do I say ‘hype’? Because, so far, there is no all-powerful armoured offensive. Three weeks ago a few Russian armoured columns were near obliterated by Ukrainian drones and artillery. Since then? Nothing. There is intense fighting but it continues to be spear-headed by small teams of Russian infiltrators. Here’s an idea for Western pundits and reporters. Why not wait for something to happen before getting over-excited?
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INFILTRATION PIPELINE FLOODED
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A successful and intelligent way to avoid the omnipresent drones on the frontline is to use gas pipelines to move infiltrators into position unnoticed. Russia has now done this three times.
Ukraine’s answer is to flood the pipelines.
Defense Forces Flooded Pipe Used By Russian Troops Near Kupiansk
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/defense-forces-flooded-pipe-used-by-Russian-troops-near-kupiansk/
“Ukrainian forces have damaged and flooded an underground pipe near Kupiansk that was previously used by Russian troops.”
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RUSSIAN RARITY KNOCKED OUT
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I have immense respect for the skills of the pilots who can bomb a vehicle travelling at speed. The IMR-3 is a heavy military engineering vehicle built on the chassis of the T-90 tank. It is used to dig fortifications, clear barricades, recover damaged vehicles and for many ofhter combat engineering tasks. Like the plain vanilla T-90, it too is vulnerable to a few cheap grenades dropped by a Baba Yaga drone bomber.
Baba Yaga Takes Out Rare Engineer Tank (VIDEO)
NOELREPORTS
“Ukraine’s 412th Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Regiment destroyed a rare Russian IMR-3M combat engineering vehicle. Designed to clear mines and obstacles, only two have been visually confirmed destroyed since 2022.”
Russian combat engineer tank (circled) speeds along a dirt road at night. Chased by a Baba Yaga drone bomber, it did not last long / Screengrab
DRONE WAR (THE AIR WAR)
BUK HUNTING
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Having known someone who was murdered on Flight MH17, I take a savage pleasure in Ukraine’s remorseless campaign against Buk missile launchers.
Ukrainian Special Forces Destroy Russian Buk-M3 SAM System Worth Over $40 Million (Video)
https://en.defence-ua.com/news/ukrainian_special_forces_destroy_Russian_buk_m3_sam_system_worth_over_40_million_video-15821.html
“Ukrainian scouts eliminated a Russian Buk-M3 anti-aircraft missile system in occupied Zaporizhzhia.”
Precision Strike by the Chornyi Lis Brigade Levels Russian Buk-M2 System (Video)
https://en.defence-ua.com/news/precision_strike_by_the_chornyi_lis_brigade_levels_Russian_buk_m2_system_video-15868.html
“...the Chornyi Lis Brigade recently scored a significant tactical victory by destroying a self-propelled launcher of Russian Buk-M2 surface-to-air missile system..”
Buk-M2 goes boom / screengrab from surveillance drone
And, oh dear, Buks are running out of missiles and their crews are being sent to the frontline meat grinder. Such a shame.
“There are Just One or Two Missiles for Every Six [Buks]”
ChrisO_wiki
“Russia appears to be running out of surface-to-air missiles, with air defence crews having to be reassigned to the infantry because they have nothing to fire. “
By the way, why isn’t this a huge story? Remember the uproar earlier this year when Ukraine was running low on missiles? And now? Nothing.
Oh well, welcome to The Under-Reported War.
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SAM HUNTING
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It’s not just Buks, of course. Other kinds of Russian missile launchers are available for destruction too. Ukraine’s deadly RAM-2X loitering munition appears to have had its range extended to at least 100km as this latest attack demonstrates.
Record Distance: Ukrainian RAM-2X Destroys Russian Pantsir-S1 Near Luhansk
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/record-distance-ukrainian-ram-2x-destroys-Russian-pantsir-s1-near-luhansk/
“A Ukrainian RAM-2X loitering munition flew more than 100 km from the front line and struck a Russian Pantsir-S1 air-defence battery at Luhansk airport.
Researchers from the GeoINT project Dnipro OSINT geolocated the firing position of the destroyed vehicle and said fresh satellite imagery shows burn marks and the Pantsir’s disappearance.”
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ANTIQUE FLYING BOATS DESTROYED
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Russia’s rare Be-12 flying boats are used to patrol the Black Sea for Ukrainian naval drones. So rickety, these a flying boats in name only, they are now too old and fragile to land on the sea. Two ere destroyed this week. Now there may only be two operational Be-12s left.
Ukrainian Drones Strike Russia’s Rare Be-12 Flying Boats
https://www.twz.com/air/ukrainian-drones-strike-Russias-rare-be-12-flying-boats
“Only a handful of Be-12s [are] still active, being used by the Russian Navy to patrol Crimea’s hazardous waters.
In what it claims is the first such attack in history, Ukraine has used drones to strike a pair of Russian Navy Be-12 [flying boats].”
Ukrainian FPV drone closes in on a parked Be-12 flying boat / Screengrab
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MORE RUSSIAN AVIATION LOSSES
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Russia’s aviation losses keep on mounting up.
Ukrainian Air Force: Ukrainian Defenders Shoot Down Russian Su-34 Fighter-Bomber in Zaporizhzhia Region
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/ukrainian-air-force-ukrainian-defenders-shoot-down-Russian-su-34-fighter-bomber-in-zaporizhzhia-region/
“Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Su-34s have become the main platform for the Russians to conduct [glide] bomb strikes on Ukrainian defences.”
The Russians Keep Parking Helicopters On the Same Undefended Tarmac In Crimea. The Ukrainians Keep Blowing Them Up
TrenchArt
“Ukrainian drones and missiles range freely across Crimea. On or just before Sept. 1, the Ukrainian defense intelligence agency flew fixed-wing attack drones at least 120 miles over Russian-occupied Crimea and blew up two Mil Mi-8 helicopters parked at Simferopol International Airport.
Unbothered, the Russians parked at least three more of the Mi-8 transports on the same tarmac. On or before Sunday, the Ukrainian intel agency struck again—and blew up those three Mi-8s.”
Oh, and Ukraine’s determined campaignto take out every radar in Crimea continues.
Ukraine’s [Drones] Hit 2 Russian An-26 transport Aircraft, 2 Radars
https://en.defence-ua.com/events/warriors_of_ukraines_defense_intelligence_raiding_in_crimea_hit_2_Russian_an_26_transport_aircraft_2_radars_video-15937.html
“…during a raid on the occupied peninsula, special forces of Ukrainian Defense Intelligence burned two An-26 transport aircraft of Russian invaders, as well as also hit an enemy surface situation radar station and MR-10M1 Mys M1 coastal radar.”
Instead of yet another shot of a radar being FPVed, here’s an image from an FPV closing in on a transport aircraft / Screengrab
ABOUT THOSE AIR INCURSIONS
There were enough hot takes about this story to launch a hot air balloon into space. After a week or so, the furore calmed down and, as ever, Tom Cooper (who knows quite a bit about incursions and shoot-downs) over at Sarcastosaurus brought some historical perspective to it all. The Turks shot down a Russian Su-24 on their side of the Syrian border in 2015. This was used by hyper-ventilating pundits as a precedent for what ‘those lily-livered buffoons over at NATO’ should have done. Turns out the Turkish action was a mistake, as Erdogan himself later admitted. Ageing and obsolete navigation aids and radios were just as likely responsible for the Estonian incident as a fiendish plot from in the Kremlin.
By the way, multiple NATO fighters still intercepted the Russian aircraft. Hardly a disaster.
Photo from the cockpit of a Swedish fighter of one of the infringing Russian Mig-31s / Open source
Here’s the uproar:
Russian MiG-31s Busting Estonian Airspace Has Eastern Europe On Edge
https://www.twz.com/air/Russian-mig-31s-busting-estonian-airspace-has-eastern-europe-on-edge
“Italy, Sweden and Finland scrambled fighters after the Foxhounds flew into Estonian airspace for about 12 minutes.”
Russian Drones and Jets Are Probing NATO’s Defenses. The Lithuanians Want to Shoot Them Down
TrenchArt
“”Türkiye set an example 10 years ago.”
At least one NATO official wants the alliance to start shooting down Russian planes that cross into NATO air space. The Baltic States including Estonia and Lithuania do not operate their own fighters, instead relying on rotating contingents of planes from NATO allies for their air defense.”
It Took [A] NATO Country Just 17 Seconds to Shoot Down Russian Su-24 10 Years Ago
https://en.defence-ua.com/analysis/it_took_nato_country_just_17_seconds_to_shoot_down_Russian_su_24_10_years_ago-15897.html
“on the morning of November 24 [2015] of the same year, a Turkish F-16 with an AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile shot down a Russian Su-24 aircraft with tail number 83 “white” and registration number RF-90932, which was returning to the Khmeimim air base.
According to data released by Turkey, the Russian planes flew more than 2 km into the country’s airspace and stayed there for 17 seconds, and before that, within five minutes they received 10 warnings demanding to change course. “
And here’s the most likely explanation courtesy of Tom Cooper:
Russian Sloppiness
Sarcastosaurus
“It’s a mistake to think that on 24 November 2015 the Turks have had enough of the Russians and thus opened fire. No. They’ve opened fire and shot down that Su-24 precisely because they’ve trusted the Russians: they’ve trusted the Russians would stick to their arrangement, they were convinced the Russians would never-ever do be as sloppy as to forget announcing their flight, and were convinced they’re shooting at the Assadists [Syrian air force].
As confirmed by nobody less than Erdogan when, few days later, he stated something like (from memory), ‘we didn’t know it was Russian, otherwise we wouldn’t have issued the order to fire’.”
DRONE WAR (GROUND ROBOTS)
ROBOTS TO REVOLUTIONIZE MINE CLEARING
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Here’s an excellent overview of the enormous mine-clearing challenge Ukraine faces and how unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) will make a difference.
Inside The Race To Clear Ukraine’s Minefields With Robots And AI
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidkirichenko/2025/09/16/inside-the-race-to-clear-ukraines-minefields-with-robots-and-ai/
“Ukraine is now the most heavily mined country in the world. According to the United Nations, an estimated 23% of Ukraine’s territory may be contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Clearing them is painstakingly slow and dangerous, and the World Bank estimates the effort could stretch over years and cost more than $37 billion. According to Globsec, with traditional tools it would take 757 years to fully demine the country.
Drone warfare and robotics are also reshaping the dangerous business of mine clearance. Roy Gardiner, an open-source weapons researcher, told me that “drone mounted landmine reconnaissance systems will revolutionize mine clearance for both military and humanitarian applications.””
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NEW HEAVY CROSS-COUNTRY UGV IN PRODUCTION
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Ukraine’s Brave1 initiative has produced many effective collaborations. This latest UGV is one of those and is about to go into full production.
VATAG AI-Controlled Multifunctional Heavy Ground Robotic Platform Introduced in Ukraine
https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and_tech/vatag_ai_controlled_multifunctional_heavy_ground_robotic_platform_introduced_in_ukraine-15886.html
“The VATAG H-UGV, with its power reserve, high cross-country ability as well as modern control systems, can perform a full spectrum of operations – from logistics and engineering support to [weapons support] in combat missions…
..Equipped with integrated AI systems, the platform with the ability to carry more than 2 tons of payload can be used both to destroy the enemy as well as for logistical and other types of support for own troops.”
The VATAG with a combat module installed / Defense Express
DRONE & MISSILE WAR (THE LONG-RANGE WAR)
UKRAINE WON’T BACK DOWN
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Anne Applebaum has always been clear-sighted about the threat of Putin’s adventurism. This (non-paywalled) piece of reporting from Ukraine is well worth reading. And it’s in The Atlantic: an agenda-setting publication that news editors pay attention to. Not holding my breath though. This war will continue to be under-reported.
Ukraine’s Plan to Starve the Russian War Machine
https://archive.ph/DFO0B#selection-615.0-615.48
“Negotiations have stalled. Trump keeps changing his policies. Ukrainians, backed by Europeans, are taking matters into their own hands.”
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ISKANDER BALLISTIC MISSILES STRIKE TRAINING GROUND
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Soldiers have to gather in large numbers at training grounds. Heavy losses have been reported by both sides when they are attacked. Ukraine has begun a crash program to build bunkers in their training areas but it is far from complete.
Russians Strike Ukrainian Armed Forces Training Center With Iskanders
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/Russians-strike-ukraine-s-armed-forces-training-center-with-iskanders/
“On September 24, Russian forces struck the territory of a Ukrainian Ground Forces training unit. The attack involved two Iskander ballistic missiles, according to the Ground Forces Command. The strike resulted in personnel losses that could not be fully avoided, despite safety measures, the command said.”
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UKRAINIAN BALLOONS TAKE FLIGHT
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This is an odd one. The Kremlin reported a large number of Ukrainian balloons were used in a recent drone attack. I have no idea why or how they were deployed. And I’m not going to speculate. I would only look foolish if I did.
Ukraine Uses Balloons in Drone Attack on Russia
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/ukraine-uses-balloons-in-drone-attack-on-Russia/
“The Russian military faced the massive use of unknown balloons during a long-range drone attack on Moscow and Tatarstan.
On the night of September 20, Ukrainian drones struck the Saratov and Novokuibyshev oil refineries, causing large-scale fires.”
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FIRE POINT’S ‘BIG BOOM’
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I’ve already mentioned Fire Point’s FP-1 drone (see Toropets explosion), and their FP-3 Flamingo cruise missile (see the dumpster-diving story), now it’s time spotlight their FP-2 drone. A year ago, Ukraine only had the resources to hit important targets close to the front with only one or two scarce glide bombs, rockets, or missiles. Now they can hit targets multiple times all along the frontline with mass-produced FP-1s and FP-2s.
Ukraine’s New Big Boom FP-2 Cruise Missile Is Blowing Up Russian Bases In the Most Important Sectors
TrenchArt
“The FP-2 packs a 230-pound warhead. The Ukrainians aren’t just waiting around for Rubicon to do in Pokrovsk what it did in Kursk—sever the supply lines. They’re taking the fight to Rubicon. On Friday, Ukrainian forces located a Rubicon base in Ukrainsk, 13 miles south of Pokrovsk. They attacked with a new, more destructive strike drone—the Fire Point FP-2.
As a surveillance drone watched from overhead, four of the new FP-2s slammed into the building reportedly housing the Rubicon operators.”
The FP-2 is a longer range version of the FP-1 drone / Mezha Media
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THE DRONE WAR AGAINST RUSSIA’S WAR MACHINE
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Ukraine continues to attack ‘upstrwam of the boom’. It is proving a wonderfully effective strategy with Russian military manufacturing facing all sorts of shortages.
Ukrainian Drones Strike Military Chemical Plant
https://en.defence-ua.com/news/ukrainian_drones_strike_military_chemical_plant_in_Russia-15825.html
“The strike hit the JSC Metafrax Chemicals in Russia’s Perm Krai. It is the second-largest company in Russia specializing in organic synthesis chemical production.
The facility is located 1,600 km from the Ukrainian border. According to preliminary information, the strike damaged equipment used to produce urea. The company’s products are the main components for the manufacture of explosives: hexamine, methanol, pentrite, and urea,” [a] source from Defense Intelligence of Ukraine noted.”
Destruction of Drone Production in Russia
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/ukraine-s-general-staff-reports-destruction-of-drone-production-in-Russia/
“Units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, in order to disrupt UAV production and reduce the enemy’s combat capabilities, struck the UAV production site in the village of Valuyki, Belgorod region. A hit and a fire were recorded.”
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THE DRONE WAR AGAINST REFINERIES & PIPELINES
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Here’s another incomplete roundup of the more notable attacks in the last two weeks, again in chronological order.
15th Sept
Ukraine Hits Kirishi Refinery — Russia’s Second-Largest Fuel Producer Ignites in Leningrad Region
https://en.defence-ua.com/news/ukraine_hits_kirishi_refinery_Russias_second_largest_fuel_producer_ignites_in_leningrad_region-15824.html
“[Drones] successfully carried out a long-range strike on the Kirishinefteorgsintez refinery, located more than 800 kilometers from Ukraine’s border. The attack triggered a massive fire, confirmed by NASA FIRMS satellite monitoring.
The General Staff stressed that the refinery plays a key role in sustaining Russia’s war machine.”
Critical Crude Distillation Tower Hit
Special Kherson Cat
“The AT-6 unit at the Russian Kinef oil refinery, which has a capacity of 7.6 million tonnes a year and accounts for 38% of the plant’s total capacity, has been shut down after a Ukrainian drone attack.”
The AT-6 unit explodes / Screengrab
16th Sept
Saratov Gets Second Visit
Special Kherson Cat
“Saratov oil refinery was targeted tonight by drones. [The] refinery has a capacity of 7 million tons of oil per year. This is the second attack since 2nd of August.”
20th Sept
Saratov Attacked for Third Time in a Month
SpecialKhersonCat
“Saratov oil refinery has a capacity of 7 million tons of oil per year.
This is the third attack on this refinery since 2nd of August, previously it was targeted on 10.08.2025 and 16.09.2025.”
Saratov goes boom for the third time / Screengrab
22nd Sept
Astrakhan Refinery Targeted
SpecialKhersonCat
“Russia’s Astrakhan gas processing plant, controlled by Gazprom halted production of motor fuel on September 22 after a Ukrainian drone attack.
[The] blaze had engulfed a condensate production unit with a capacity of 3 million metric tons per year. It produces gasoline and diesel.”
24th Sept
Drones Again Attack Salavat Oil Refinery, 1,400 km from Ukraine [Video]
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/drones-again-attack-salavat-oil-refinery-1-400-km-from-ukraine/
“This attack is already the second this month: earlier, on September 18, drones struck and disabled the [refinery’s] ELOU-AVT-4 primary oil processing unit.”
Satellite Imagery of Salavat Fire
SpecialKhersonCat
“Satellite imagery of the Russian Salavat oil refinery after yesterday’s Ukrainian drone attack. ELOU AVT-6 with the yearly capacity of 6 million tons of oil per year was severely hit.”
Another critical crude distillation tower explodes, this time at the Salavat refinery / Screengrab
24th Sept
This week, Ukraine’s naval drone boats got in on this campaign.
Ukrainian Naval Drones Attack Oil Export Infrastructure in Russia’s Tuapse [Video]
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/ukrainian-naval-drones-attack-oil-export-infrastructure-in-Russia-s-tuapse/
“Ukrainian naval drones attacked Russian oil export infrastructure in the Black Sea port of Tuapse for the first time.…one of the oil-loading piers in the port was hit. The video shows the moment of impact as the drone exploded on contact with the structure.
The port of Tuapse is one of the main facilities for oil exports from southern Russia. Damage there could disrupt supply logistics and increase risks for maritime transport in the region.”
Above: Ukrainian Magura drone speeds into the harbour at Tuapse / Screengrab
Below: Second later, an oil export pier explodes / Screengrab
25th Sept
Gas Distribution Nodes Struck
SpecialKhersonCat
“USF struck several key gas distribution stations in the occupied Luhansk region of Ukraine:
- Shchastia Gas Distribution Station
- Sievierodonetsk Gas Distribution Station
- Novopskov Gas Distribution Station.”
26th Sept
Drones Attacked Afipsky Oil Refinery in Krasnodar Region of Russia, Fire Broke Out
https://en.defence-ua.com/news/drones_attacked_afipsky_oil_refinery_in_krasnodar_region_of_Russia_fire_broke_out-15944.html
“On the night of Friday, September 26, a fire broke out at the Afipsky oil refinery in Krasnodar region after a drone attack.”
Afipsky Attacked in August, Attacked Again in Spetember
SpecialKhersonCat
“Russian Afipsky Oil Refinery in the Krasnodar region with the capacity [to refine] million tons of oil per year was under attack tonight.”
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GASOLINE QUEUES LENGTHEN
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Here’s two good overviews from Forbes on the economic and immediate consequences for Russia of the oil refinery campaign.
Ukrainian Drone Strikes Hit Moscow, St. Petersburg And Russia’s Economy
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidkirichenko/2025/09/17/ukrainian-drone-strikes-hit-moscow-st-petersburg-and-Russias-economy/
“Ukraine’s Drones Drive Fuel Crisis Across Russia.”
Drone Strikes Mean Russians Pay $9 A Gallon For Gas, If There Is Any
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2025/09/15/drone-campaign-pushes-gas-to--9-a-gallon-in-Russia-when-there-is-any/
“Russia is facing gas shortages, as refinery after refinery goes up in flames under a growing onslaught from Ukrainian drones.
Evidence for the problem comes from multiple sources. It is illegal for Russians to share images of drone attacks on social media, but people still post videos of exploding refineries. ”
DRONE WAR (THE NAVAL WAR)
WHOPPING GREAT UNDERWATER DRONE UNVEILED
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It’s kind of obvious what the target [above] is for the TOLOKA-400 behemoth [below]
Giant Robot Submarine Threatens Russia’s Kerch Bridge And Ports
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2025/09/23/giant-robot-submarine-threatens-Russias-kerch-bridge-and-ports/
“The underwater drone has a five-ton payload and is designed for minelaying and the “destruction of large stationary targets.” This sounds like a direct threat to Russia’s Kerch Bridge.USV”
Toloka Preparing for Serial Production of TOLOKA-400 and TOLOKA-200 Underwater Drones
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/toloka-preparing-for-serial-production-of-toloka-400-and-toloka-200-underwater-drones/
“TOLOKA-400 has a range of 1200 km, a payload of over 500 kg, and a gasoline engine. The body can be composite or metal.
The metal version of TOLOKA-400 can be submerged to a depth of 30 meters. The drone is capable of conducting search operations or acting as a kamikaze.
TOLOKA-200 is a small drone with a range of 200 km, a payload of 20 kg, and a speed of over 15 knots. It is equipped with inertial navigation, radio communication, internet, and a radio frequency guidance radar.
This vehicle can perform mining, reconnaissance, mine detection, attack as a kamikaze drone, and operate at shallow depths.”
DRONE WAR (LATEST INNOVATIONS)
UKRAINE’S NEXT DRONE CHALLENGE
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Trial Ukrainian drone swarms have been deployed already on the front line but they are still at a very basic level.
Ukraine’s AI drones can’t hit moving targets—but must master swarms by 2027
https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/09/19/ukraine-Russia-drone-ai-swarms/
Ukraine has less than two years to master AI-powered drone warfare before autonomous weapons transform the battlefield into something “totally ruthless,” warns former Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
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AN AMAZON FOR FRONTLINE UNITS
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Here’s an overview of Ukraine’s points-based drone marketplace and how it has changed the battlefield.
Kyiv’s E-Points Drone Marketplace
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tamarjacoby/2025/09/19/kyivs-e-points-drone-marketplace-an-amazon-for-frontline-units/
““We’ve improved our performance by a factor of 10,” the commander boasts. “We know that thanks to the drone points system, which measures how many men we kill and how much equipment we destroy.””
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RUSSIA CONTINUES FIBRE-OPTIC REVOLUTION
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Trans-oceanic communication cables are usually fibre-optic. They need seafloor repeater stations to boost the signals they carry. Russia is applying the same principle to its fibre optic drones. It has developed drone-mounted repeater stations to extend FPV drone range. It sounds like a lot of things could go wrong with that. I guess we will find out soon.
Russia’s Relay Drone Plan Aims to Boost Fiber-Optic FPV Range x4
https://en.defence-ua.com/industries/Russias_relay_drone_plan_aims_to_boost_fiber_optic_fpv_range_x4-15873.html
“…One of the main reasons we still haven’t seen fiber-optic FPV drones flying, say, 100 km: to overcome signal attenuation you either need heavier, more powerful cables and pricier equipment, or you must deploy repeaters.
So, the Russians, instead of using single-use repeaters that are awkward to deploy, came up with the idea of making a reusable one. They equipped another FPV UAV with a signal repeater. This creates a scheme where the operator’s optical cable runs to the relay drone and then onward to the strike drone. They also claim that several FPV strike drones can connect to a single repeater simultaneously.”
WINDOW JUMPING SEASON
STAY AWAY FROM THE WINDOWS, TOVARISCH
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I really should do a special on all the window-related deaths of siloviki insiders who seem to lose the power of balance if they stray too close to a window.
Apparently, one of this week’s victims managed to shoot himself twice in the head with a bolt-action rifle before jumping.
Fedotov Falls
SpecialKhersonCat
“Another Russian official has been found dead in Moscow.
The body of Alexander Fedotov, former chairman of the St. Petersburg Committee for Transport Infrastructure. Russians claim he committed suicide. He was discovered yesterday under the windows of the Sheraton Hotel at Sheremetyevo Airport”
The hit men did not even attempt to fake a suicide with the next one so I have no idea why what happened is ‘mysterious’. It’s pretty hard to hang yourself if your hands are tied behind your back.
Fifth Mysterious Death in a Month
WarTranslated
“Russian media reports that another director has died in Russia. This time, the deputy of “United Russia” and director of “KubanSpetsStroy”, Vitaly Kapustin, was found hanged on a tree with his hands tied. This is already the fifth mysterious death of an official in Russia in a month.”
Ah, this is more like it. Putin likes his siloviki to be corrupt, but not outrageously corrupt.
Official Who Built a 40 Billion Bridge Found Dead
https://www.mk.ru/incident/2025/09/25/pod-oknami-v-moskve-naydeno-telo-ekschinovnika-stroivshego-most-za-40-mlrd.html
“The body of Alexander Fedotov, former head of the St. Petersburg Transport Infrastructure Development Committee who built the 40 billion ruble Bolshoy Smolensk Bridge, was found under the a window of a hotel near Sheremetyevo Airport, Moscow.
BOOM OF THE WEEK
CINEMATIC SHAHED KILL GETS A CHEER
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It is worth watching the video in the link just for the sound of people celebrating when the drone is intercepted.
It is not clear what destroyed the Shahed. It could be an anti-air missile or one of the new high-speed interceptor drones.
Shahed Shoot-Down. Sting Drone or Stinger Missile? [VIDEO]
WarTranslated
“Footage shows a Russian drone being shot down over Dnipro today.”
Shahed goes boom! / Screengrab
GRIMLY HILARIOUS MOMENT OF THE WEEK
NEVER FORGET THE WC SIGNS
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In May, the elite Rubikon Centre showed off their Moscow drone pilot bases in a series of videos. Regular readers might recall this worrying development, where Russian FPV drone operators were filmed sitting in a Moscow apartment whilst controlling their killer drones on the front line.
However, it was revealed recently that, although Rubikon thought all the recognisable internal features of that base were blurred out on their videos, they missed one very important detail. The unique WC sign and doorRubikon_ in the background. Ukrainian intelligence immediately identified the building and duly targeted it with a drone strike.
Propaganda Reveals Location of Russia’s Secret Drone Base
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/solovyov-exposed-rubicon-propaganda-reveals-location-of-Russia-s-secret-drone-base/
“Russia’s elite Center for Advanced Unmanned Technologies “Rubicon” of the Russian Armed Forces was exposed due to a series of videos that were meant for restricted access.
On May 22, 2025, a Ukrainian Liutyi drone targeted the Patriot Expo. Three days later, Ukrainian forces struck a Pantsir air defense system at the site. Investigators concluded that Solovyov’s broadcast was key to confirming and exposing the Rubicon base.”
Above: FPV pilot in Moscow / Screengrab
Below: That sign, that light, and that door was all it took for Ukrainian intelligence to identify and for drones hit their target / Screengrab
FOREIGN AID & INVESTMENT IN UKRAINE
US AID RIP, LONG LIVE THE PURL
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It’s no surprise that German military aid alone now exceeds that given by America. It’s strictly cash only if you want US weapons. No one minds much as long as they can buy them. It’s the damage done to the USA’s word standing that may be irreparable.
First U.S. Arms Shipment Under PURL Mechanism Reportedly Arrives in Ukraine with Total Secrecy and Lightning Speed
https://en.defence-ua.com/news/first_us_arms_shipment_under_purl_mechanism_reportedly_arrives_in_ukraine_with_total_secrecy_and_lightning_speed-15872.html
“The U.S. sell weapons to Ukraine through a fast-track mechanism funded by other NATO members, avoiding public announcements and lengthy coordination.”
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THE VCC-1 IS BETTER THAN M113, BUT THAT’S ALL YOU CAN SAY
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When the invasion happened, most Western nations took a lot at their obsolete weapons stores and dispatched whatever was not corroded beyond repair to Ukraine. It helped enormously but, these days, weapons donations are not panicky. Instead, they tend to be production deals for new weapons and new munitions, often to be manufactured in Ukraine. Italy’s armoured personnel carrier (APC) ‘on steroids is a throwback to the early days. An upgrade on the M113 APC designed in the 1950s, it is still lightly armoured and highly vulnerable to FPV drone attacks. However, until all the new vehicles being built for Ukraine enter service, it is a lot better than nothing.
Italy sends Ukraine an APC “on steroids” to evacuate WIA soldiers under drone fire
https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/09/20/italian-vcc-1s-for-ukraine/
“Italy is sending VCC-1 “Camillino” variants with additional 6mm steel armor plating. The vehicles will serve as battlefield ambulances rather than standard troop carriers.
Ukraine has received ~1,500 M-113s from allies but lost over 400 in combat operations. [The arrival] addresses growing threats to medical evacuation teams from drones and artillery fragments”
EUROPE REARMS
ATTENTION TO DETAIL MATTERS
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A interesting think-piece points out how a simple thing like road design can enhance or hinder an attacker’s progress.
Want to Enhance Baltic Deterrence? Start with Traffic Redesign
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/09/want-to-enhance-baltic-deterrence-start-with-traffic-redesign/
“The key to successful deterrence, and to a successful defense should deterrence fail, is to disrupt an invading force’s timeline. And a key vulnerability lies in the very infrastructure that supports day-to-day life: the road networks.
By strategically redesigning critical road junctures and water crossings, the Baltic nations can create an enhanced, non-lethal layer of deterrence-by-denial that buys precious time for allied forces to respond.”
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IF YOU HAVE SIX MISSILES AND YOUR OPPONENT HAS SEVEN, YOU LOSE
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One of the most important surprises from the war in Ukraine (and elsewhere) is that combatants burn through their munitions very quickly. Ships without missile defences are easy targets. Some NATO nations are taking the ‘uncrewed wingman’ concept from aviation and are applying it to defending their warships. Germany is the latest nation to announce uncrewed arsenal ships
Germany To Build Uncrewed Missile-Toting Arsenal Ships For Its Frigates
https://www.twz.com/air/germany-to-build-uncrewed-missile-toting-arsenal-ships-for-its-frigates
“The missile-packed uncrewed ‘wingmen’ are intended to support Germany’s conventional surface combatants by adding a big boost in firepower.”
Royal Dutch Navy artist’s concept of the uruncrewed arsenal ship / Dutch Ministry of Defense
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AMERICA LOSES OUT ON MAMMOTH GERMAN WEAPONS SPENDING
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Any of us surprised by this? If so, you must have been in hibernation for the whole of the year. Either that, or you are Donald Trump. He is clearly deluded enough to think anyone would buy from America if they had another option.
Of the €83 Billion That Germany Will Spend on Defense, the United States Will Receive Only 8%
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/of-the-e83-billion-that-germany-will-spend-on-defense-the-united-states-will-receive-only-8/
“This decision was a blow to Washington’s expectations. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly called on European allies to buy “huge amounts” of American weapons. In July, he even stated that the EU plans to buy “hundreds of billions” of dollars worth of weapons.”
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CRUISE MISSILES NEED ENGINES
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Maybe Europe should follow Ukraine’s example and start checking out landfill sites? It worked for them.
Europe Faces Shortage of Jet Engines for Drones and Missiles
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/europe-faces-shortage-of-jet-engines-for-drones-and-missiles/
“A lack of domestically produced small jet engines for drones and cruise missiles is hindering Europe’s rapid rearmament.”
That’s all for now. See you next week.
Just discovered your reporting for the first time and duly subscribed. Very informative. Can't wait for this war to be over. If it's bad for the rest of Europe, I can't imagine how the Ukrainians feel. The boys on the frontline must be exhausted. They need more help from Europe. I know we've stepped up a bit, but I'd like us to step up more.
As for the US, whatever is being said by the President, I still can't be sure if he's secretly undermining Ukraine and working with Russia. It's not nice being sceptical of your once close ally, wondering - is the current US administration scheming against you? But unfortunately that's the world we live in now. How sad that it's come to this.
Thanks Martin. I have been wondering what is going on with weapons purchases from the US. Glad they are being circumvented for the most part. I am also glad not to hear Zelenskiy say that he can only do things if the US is involved. That involvement seems a poison pill, which may be more poison after all of the US military leaders meet with Russia loving Hegseth tomorrow. I read Project 2025, and there were plans to continually shift leaders to new locations. A horrid idea if one understands developing expertise, and socially-emotionally a bad idea too.