Ukrainian forces have launched a series of drone strikes deep into Russian territory, striking key missile depots in the Tver and Krasnodar regions. The attacks, outlined by Ukrainian President Zelensky in his evening address, have targeted critical munitions facilities used by Russia in its ongoing war.
On Saturday, the Ukrainian military hit an arms depot near the town of Toropets in Russia’s Tver region, located around 380km from Moscow and approximately 500km from the Ukrainian border. The attack ignited a massive fire and forced Russian authorities to close a 100km stretch of highway, while also evacuating a nearby rail station. Local sources indicated that this depot, holding missiles and bombs, is strategically vital to Moscow’s military operations.
Another drone strike targeted an ammunition depot in the southwestern Krasnodar region, leading to multiple explosions and the evacuation of 1,200 people. Russian officials declared a local emergency in Krasnodar following the attack, as fires spread to surrounding explosive objects. Videos circulating online showed night-time explosions, with subsequent footage capturing the aftermath of smoke and sirens during the day.
The drone attacks, part of a broader Ukrainian strategy to undermine Russia’s logistical capabilities, come as President Volodymyr Zelensky prepares for a high-stakes visit to the United States. Zelensky is expected to present a “victory plan” to U.S. President Joe Biden and make another appeal for long-range weapons that would allow Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory.
“We are doing this with our capabilities, with our weapons,” Zelensky said in his address, emphasising that Western-supplied arms could significantly hasten the end of the war by neutralising Russia’s offensive potential.
Russian counter-UAS response
In response to the latest wave of Ukrainian drone strikes, Russia’s defence ministry reported that its forces had shot down 101 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory and occupied Crimea. While Russia did not detail the specific damage caused by the attacks, the high number of drones intercepted highlights the offensive campaign currently underway by Ukraine.
Ukrainian drone operations are becoming more sophisticated and targeted, aiming to disrupt Russia’s supply lines and reduce its military firepower.
The Tver and Krasnodar regions, though not near the immediate warzone, have seen a rise in drone attacks over the past year. The Krasnodar region, separated from Ukraine by the Sea of Azov, has been increasingly targeted due to its importance as a storage and logistics hub for Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. The growing reach of Ukrainian drones underscores the need for enhanced counter-drone defences on both sides, with Russia scrambling to secure its assets from these aerial threats.
As drone strikes intensify and C-UAS defences advance, the conflict continues to evolve, highlighting the pivotal role of C-UAS systems in modern warfare. The latest attacks deepen the strategic battle between Ukraine and Russia, with drones emerging as key tools in disrupting military operations and pressuring adversaries far from the frontlines.
Post Image – A screenshot from a video purportedly showing the moment an ammunition depot in Tver Oblast, Russia, explodes on Sept. 18, 2024. (Post Image Credit: Olexander Scherba via X)
