Ukrainian Drone Attacks on 16 Russian Regions Show ‘Potential To Inflict Serious Damage’
Russian air defenses intercept 158 drones amid escalating conflict, while analysts highlight Ukraine's enhanced military capabilities and substantial Western support
In the early hours of September 1st, Ukrainian drones carried out coordinated attacks on 16 regions across Russia, as reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense and local authorities.
Air defense systems were engaged throughout the night, successfully “destroying and intercepting” a total of 158 aircraft-type drones over 15 regions. Notably, 46 drones were intercepted over the Kursk region, 34 over Bryansk, 28 over Voronezh, and 14 over Belgorod.
For the first time since the beginning of the full-scale conflict, drones targeted regions such as Tambov, Smolensk, Oryol, and Ivanovo. The Russian military reported that the highest concentration of drones was intercepted in the Kursk region, followed by significant activity in Bryansk, Voronezh, and Belgorod regions.
Moscow’s Mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, confirmed that two drones reached the city and were intercepted near the Kapotnya oil refinery. Debris from one of the drones caused a fire, which, according to Sobyanin, was contained to a separate technical facility.
The drone attacks led to temporary suspensions at Moscow’s major airports—Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky—during the night and morning.
Ukraine has remained silent on this incident. In recent months, Ukraine has intensified its long-range drone strikes, often launching dozens simultaneously at strategic targets.
Dr. Nikolai Topornin shared with The Media Line that recent Ukrainian attacks emphasize the strong escalation of the conflict.
Today, one of the UAVs reached the largest oil refinery in Moscow, supplying fuel to the city and the region on which the stability of supply depends. Ukraine demonstrates its combat capability and potential to inflict serious damage on various targets in Russia, especially on the energy infrastructure.
“Today, one of the UAVs reached the largest oil refinery in Moscow, supplying fuel to the city and the region, on which the stability of supply depends,” he said. “Ukraine demonstrates its combat capability and potential to inflict serious damage on various targets in Russia, especially on the energy infrastructure.”
Topornin noted that it has become evident that Ukraine is growing stronger in several key areas.
“Besides the drone attacks, there is the advancement of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Ukrainian forces have captured part of the Kursk region, advanced 40 kilometers along the front, and up to 20 kilometers deep into the territory, or maybe even more. Russian units cannot currently counter this. It shows that Ukraine is maintaining and increasing its combat capability, delivering strikes that alarm both the military and political leadership, as well as ordinary people,” he explained.
This holiday season, give to:
Truth and understanding
The Media Line's intrepid correspondents are in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan providing first-person reporting.
They all said they cover it.
We see it.
We report with just one agenda: the truth.
Defense analyst Ian Matveev explained the complexities surrounding the drone attacks.
It’s important to distinguish between artillery strikes and long-range drone attacks. Belgorod, for instance, was likely shelled by MLRS, which doesn’t carry strategic significance. However, long-range drones have been actively used by Ukrainian forces since 2022 to strike strategic targets like oil refineries, energy facilities, and oil depots.
“It’s important to distinguish between artillery strikes and long-range drone attacks. Belgorod, for instance, was likely shelled by MLRS, which doesn’t carry strategic significance. However, long-range drones have been actively used by Ukrainian forces since 2022 to strike strategic targets like oil refineries, energy facilities, and oil depots,” he said.
Matveev shared that this spring, Ukrainian drones were particularly active. “After that, there was a pause, during which drones focused more on airfields. But now, large-scale raids have resumed, including attacks on oil refineries in Moscow and power stations in the Tver region. We can say that the intensity of strikes is increasing again after a period of lull,” he added.
Matveev told the Media Line that Ukraine uses drones like the ‘Lyutyi’ that are most likely also produced in Ukraine. “Their components remain secret, and there’s no clear dependence on Western supplies. These drones are mostly assembled from parts purchased on the open market and are built in Ukraine,” he said.
Matveev noted that drones like the ‘Lyutyi’ can travel up to 1,500 kilometers and employ multiple routes to evade electronic warfare systems, making them challenging targets for Russian air defenses.
Although Ukraine has its own military assets, throughout the entire war, it has received support from the US and the European Union. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov revealed that during a meeting with senior US officials in Washington on August 30, he presented a list of targets in Russia that Kyiv aims to strike using American long-range ATACMS missiles. However, Topornin argues that the role of the U.S. in the tactical execution of this war is significantly overstated.
“Do you think that before each strike, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces calls Washington and asks for permission? No, Ukraine keeps its military plans secret to prevent information from leaking and reducing the effectiveness of the strikes. Yes, they receive long-range weapons and missiles from the West and, in some cases, request permission to use them on targets deep within Russia. However, in general, they act within the framework of their own military strategy,” he said.
However, Topornin noted that U.S. support significantly bolsters Ukraine’s military capabilities. “Despite claims of shortages in ammunition and equipment, Ukraine is receiving substantial backing from Western countries. New F-16 aircraft are being delivered; they are developing their own drones and even new missiles with ranges of up to 700 kilometers. Ukraine’s military potential is not diminishing but expanding, enabling them to strike targets deep behind enemy lines,” he added.
Matveev concurred that the lack of US approval does not prevent Ukraine from making its own decisions.
Until now, nothing has prevented Ukraine from attacking oil refineries and other sites without US approval. I don’t think the US gives specific authorizations for attacks on certain targets. They may offer recommendations, but that’s not always the case. There were rumors in the spring that the US asked Ukraine not to target Russian oil infrastructure, but as we see, these rumors didn’t translate into action, and the attacks continue from both sides.
“Until now, nothing has prevented Ukraine from attacking oil refineries and other sites without US approval. I don’t think the US gives specific authorizations for attacks on certain targets. They may offer recommendations, but that’s not always the case. There were rumors in the spring that the US asked Ukraine not to target Russian oil infrastructure, but as we see, these rumors didn’t translate into action, and the attacks continue from both sides,” he said.
Matveev explained that Russia’s response to the Ukrainian attack is unlikely to differ from its previous actions and reminded that the war began from the Russian attack two years ago.
“The Russian army’s response to the attacks is to continue shelling Ukraine, which is difficult to call a direct response since the shelling of Ukrainian cities began on February 24, 2022. They continue to try to destroy Ukraine by all available means,” he said.
“Despite the successful Ukrainian drone attacks, the main fight is happening on the battlefield, where the Russian army continues to use its numerical advantage. It’s too early to talk about a clear trend in favor of one side or the other,” added Matveev.
“From a global analysis perspective, Russia lost this war when it started, considering the sanctions, social aspects, and other factors. But in terms of military actions, there’s no clear trend indicating that the Russian army is on the verge of defeat on the battlefield,” he explained.
Topornin observed that public opinion on the war had shifted slightly due to the attacks; however, the majority of the Russian population largely preferred to ignore the situation.
These events negatively affect public consciousness. Even according to official data, Putin’s popularity rating dropped by 10%. Despite this, in Moscow and other cities, people pretend that nothing is happening, living their usual lives: working, receiving salaries, sending their children to school. People have adapted to the situation and are afraid to openly talk about the war due to the risk of denunciations and repression.
“These events negatively affect public consciousness. Even according to official data, Putin’s popularity rating dropped by 10%. Despite this, in Moscow and other cities, people pretend that nothing is happening, living their usual lives: working, receiving salaries, sending their children to school. People have adapted to the situation and are afraid to openly talk about the war due to the risk of denunciations and repression,” he said.
“About 30-40% of the population is employed in the military-industrial complex, where wages have significantly increased. For example, the salary of contract soldiers has increased to 4,000 euros per month, plus significant bonuses upon signing the contract. For people from the regions, these are huge sums they won’t earn anywhere else,” added Topornin.
