Ukraine continues to wage its unconventional warfare against Russia’s invasion of its territory, with the former recently launching a record-breaking offensive against Russian forces.
Russian authorities said that they intercepted over 1,700 drones and more than a dozen Flamingo missiles that were deployed against Russian assets.
SCALP Missile Ukraine Military Photo
U.S. Soldiers assigned to 2-11 Long Range Fires Battalion, 25th Infantry Division Artillery, fire a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during a counter-landing live-fire exercise as part of Exercise Balikatan 2026 at La Paz Sand Dunes, Laoag City, Philippines, May 4, 2026. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Duke Edwards). Ukraine has such missiles to fight Russia.
Russian military added that it also managed to fend off a US-made HIMARS rocket and two guided aerial bombs.
One of the Largest Aerial Strikes in the Ukraine-Russia War
The attack is one of the largest aerial attacks Ukraine has staged against Russia in the last two years, which resulted in the grounding and/or diversion of multiple flights to and from Moscow.
While the Russian military has touted its success in intercepting much of the attack, the aerial assault was not entirely fruitless for the Ukrainians, who have been battling the Russians ever since the latter’s president, Vladimir Putin, decided to invade the country in February 2022.
Ukraine Tank Firing. Creative Commons Image.
Neptune Missile from Ukraine Creative Commons Image
One successful target was the Volodarsk Linear Production and Dispatch Center, a large oil facility near Konstantinovo village in the Moscow Oblast region.
The oil facility, which is around 280 miles from the Ukrainian border, was seen in eyewitness videos to be in flames following Ukraine’s attack.
Volodarsk, one of Moscow’s largest refineries, reportedly produces 3 million tons of petroleum products annually.
Critical infrastructure in Russia has often been a target of Ukrainian drone attacks – the Russian Defense Ministry reported that it has lost 51% of its oil refining capacity due to attacks, many similar to the recent drone assault from Ukraine.
Moscow Fights Back, Targets Civilian Installations
Moscow has not taken Ukraine’s efforts to bring the war to its doorstep sitting down, launching missile and drone attacks on its own against Ukrainian assets, including civilian and residential structures.
A recent attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, saw at least five fatalities and many more injured and trapped under rubble after a residential building collapsed following a recent drone strike.
A separate earlier attack – also utilizing drones – targeted Kyiv’s Northern Bridge, injuring two people.
A War of Drones
Ukraine continues to hold its ground against the Russian invasion, thanks to its innovative approach to drone warfare, which it uses to great effect to attack Russian forces and targets within Russia’s borders.
Called “Mala PPO”, or small-scale air defense, Ukraine can reportedly produce as many as 1,000 drones in a single day.
Ukraine’s approach matters because it reduces the cost of warfare on its limited coffers, especially compared with Russia, which has much larger resources and weapons stockpiles.
As opposed to the much more expensive Shahed-type drones that are around $50,000 apiece (which are Iranian-made and supplied) that Russia typically uses, Ukraine’s drones cost a fraction of that price.
Russia reportedly used more than 54,000 Shahed-type drones in its 2025 offensive against Ukraine.
Russia has also reportedly used drones to attack targets outside of Ukraine, often European countries it deems a threat, such as Germany.
Germany Thwarts Alleged Attack, Pledges More Support to Ukraine
German authorities accused Russian agents of being behind a recent foiled attack on Leipzig airport. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said that investigations into the incident, which occurred in early September, established “Russian responsibility”.
More recently, Germany has pledged greater support for Ukraine in the form of additional military weaponry and financial support for both weapons and the repair of damaged critical infrastructure.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on October 4 via a special train, where he announced the increased support. Merz was accompanied on the unannounced trip by German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche, along with representatives and executives from German defense and energy companies.
Ukraine Continues to Hope for End to Hostilities
While Ukraine continues to square its shoulders in the defense of its territory against Russia, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that his country is ready for US-backed peace talks with Putin-led Russia.
Speaking to reporters during Merz’s visit, Zelenskyy said he had confirmed that the US supports a quick, immediate resolution to the Ruso-Ukrainian war.
Zelenskyy said the talks could begin as early as late October and would be held in the United Arab Emirates or “another country proposed by the American side”.
About the Author: Tim Ramos
Tim Ramos has written for various publications, corporations, and organizations – covering everything from finance, politics, travel, entertainment, and sports – in Asia and the U.S. for more than 10 years.
