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Ukraine Invasion Day 1,305: more long-range strikes campaign against RU oil and gas infrastructure [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2025-09-18

Russian forces conducted a series of drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of September 17 to 18.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces launched 40 Shahed-type drones and 35 Gerbera-type and other drones from the directions of Kursk and Oryol cities; Millerovo, Rostov Oblast; and Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Krasnodar Krai.[136] The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Ukrainian forces downed 48 drones and that 26 drones struck six locations in Ukraine. Chernihiv Oblast Military Administration Head Viacheslav Chaus reported on September 18 that Russian forces conducted an overnight “double tap” drone strike against firefighters in Nizhyn City, Chernihiv Oblast, that killed one firefighter and injured two.[137] Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces also struck residential, commercial, and rail infrastructure in Kyiv and Poltava oblasts.[138]

understandingwar.org/...

Ukrainian Air Force reported that Ukrainian forces downed 48 drones and that 26 drones struck six locations in Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces continued their long-range strikes campaign against Russian oil and gas infrastructure overnight on September 17 and 18. The Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SOF) reported on September 18 that SOF drone operators conducted a strike against the Lukoil-Volgogradneftepererabotka Oil Refinery in Volgograd Oblast, halting production.[48] The SOF reported that the refinery is the largest producer of fuel and lubricants in Russia’s Southern Federal Okrug and that it has an annual processing capacity of 15.7 million tons, which is 5.6 percent of Russia’s annual oil processing. A Russian Volgograd Oblast monitoring Telegram channel and Ukrainian outlet Militarnyi reported on September 18 that at least 11 long-range Ukrainian drones flew over Volgograd Oblast, including near the refinery, and that there are no reported fires.[49] Militarnyi reported that Ukrainian forces struck the Volgogradneftepererabotka Oil Refinery twelve times from March 2024 to September 2025. Ukrainian Center for Combatting Disinformation Head Lieutenant Andriy Kovalenko, who often reports on successful Ukrainian drone strikes, reported that Ukrainian forces struck the Lukoil-Volgogradneftepererabotka Oil Refinery and the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat Oil Refinery in the Republic of Bashkortostan.[50] A Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) source informed Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne on September 18 that Ukrainian forces conducted a drone strike against the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat Oil Refinery, which is roughly 1,400 kilometers from the border with Ukraine and produces gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and fuel oil.[51] The SBU source added that the drone strike damaged the ELOU-AVT-4 unit in the heart of the facility responsible for purifying oil and converting it into fuel products. Geolocated footage published on September 18 indicates that there is a fire at the enterprise.[52] Republic of Bashkortostan Head Radiy Khabirov claimed that two Ukrainian drones struck the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat Oil Refinery and that there was a fire at the enterprise.[53] Operational Headquarters of Krasnodar Krai claimed on September 18 that drone debris caused a fire near an oil and gas facility in Novominskaya in Krasnodar Krai.[54]

understandingwar.org/...

Ukraine and Poland agreed on joint drone development and training mechanisms following the Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace on September 9 to 10. Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal stated on September 18 that Poland and Ukraine will create a joint unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) task force that will serve as a platform to coordinate and develop joint drone initiatives.[30] Shmyhal stated that Ukraine and Poland will use the task force to exchange knowledge and experiences with drones, develop and test counter-drone technologies, increase interoperability between Polish and Ukrainian forces, and train Polish forces and engineers on how to use air defense systems to protect against Russian drone and missile strikes. Shmyhal and Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz also signed a memorandum of understanding on September 18 establishing a training ground in Poland where Ukraine will train Polish forces on drone use.[31] Shmyhal stated that Ukraine will help Poland to create a “drone line” that works with EW systems to enable Poland to use drones to repel strikes. Shmyhal added that Ukraine will provide Poland with access to programs to monitor Russian strikes, possibly directed toward Poland. Shmyhal stated that Poland will also receive 43.7 billion euros (about $51.5 billion) from the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program, the EU’s financial instrument to facilitate common defense procurement efforts between EU states in order to boost Europe’s defense industrial production capacity.[32] Shmyhal stated that Ukraine and Poland will establish joint defense programs through the SAFE mechanism.[33] ISW continues to assess that the September 9-10 Russian drone incursion was the latest in Russia’s years long efforts to conduct kinetic provocations against Europe, including through its hybrid warfare campaign, while also increasing its rhetorical provocations threatening neighboring NATO states.[34]

understandingwar.org/...

**Bomber Tracking**

The situation regarding the Tu-95MS and Tu-160 aircraft has not changed significantly. As of September 18, there are (6) Tu-95MS and (3) Tu-160 aircraft near Ukraine at three air bases.

- "Olenya" - (2) Tu-160.

- "Engels-2" - (2) Tu-95MS.

- "Engels-2" - (1) Tu-160.

- "Diagilevo" - (4) Tu-95MS.

A potential threat to Ukraine is posed by (3) Tu-95MS and (2) Tu-160 aircraft, provided that the KR is charged. UPDATE: (2) Tu-160 aircraft have flown to the Far East.

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