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There is darkness in the rural area ukraineAttack drones are carefully assembled before going on long-range missions over Russian territory.
These attacks, targeting vital oil refineries, fuel depots and military logistics centers, represent a significant escalation in Ukraine’s drone campaign since the summer, now reaching unprecedented distances.
Almost in silence, officers in body armor work with precision, their headlamps flashing red to maintain concealment. The engines pulse briefly before each drone takes off from the makeshift runway heading east into the moonlit night.
The continuing attacks have begun to cause trouble, leading to shortages of petrol and even rations in some parts RussiaExposing a serious vulnerability in the country’s infrastructure and weakening Moscow’s air defenses.
Western analysts say the attacks so far have had a serious – but not catastrophic – impact on energy infrastructure.
According to a recent review by the US-based think tank Carnegie Endowment, Ukrainian drones have repeatedly targeted 16 major Russian refineries, representing about 38 percent of the country’s nominal refining capacity.
But it argues the real impact has been largely limited: Most plants have resumed operations within a matter of weeks, and Russia’s refining output has been underpinned by idle capacity and existing fuel surpluses.
However, deep blows have been given Kyiv Initiative at a critical moment. United States and Europe Sanctions are also being increased on Russia’s oil industry KyivUS long distance request axe The missiles have stopped.
President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine’s superior long-range firepower is causing real damage – forcing kremlin Importing fuel and curbing exports.
“We believe they have lost up to 20 percent of their gasoline supplies – as a direct result of our strikes,” he told reporters at a briefing in Kiev.
At the secret launch site, the commander overseeing the operation – a broad-shouldered man identified by his call sign, “Fidel”, according to Ukrainian military regulations – watches through night vision goggles as the drones soar into the starry sky.
“Drones are evolving,” Fidel said.
“Instead of flying 500 kilometers (310 miles), they now fly 1,000 kilometers… A successful operation involves three factors: drones, people and planning. We want to deliver the best results. For us, this is a sacred mission.”
Ukraine relies on no-frills weapons
Most of Ukraine’s fleet is domestic. The liuti, a horse of night attacks, is a waist-high craft with a sausage-shaped body, a propeller at the back, and a distinctive triangular tail.
It looks neither sleek nor intimidating – more Home Depot than Lockheed Martin – but the ease of assembly means it can be kept hidden and constantly tweaked: optimized for slipping through heavily monitored frontline airspace.
Typical of Ukraine’s no-frills war production philosophy, Lyuti – whose name means “fierce” in Ukrainian – has become a symbol of national pride and was recently featured on a local postage stamp.
The reach of these drones, with the range of some models doubling in the past year to routinely attack targets within 1,000 kilometers of the border, marks a change in the geography of conflict.
The attacks a year ago caused limited damage to refineries, mostly in the western Russian border areas. Costs have also declined, with expensive air defense systems being tested further, with long-range drones now being produced in Ukraine for only $55,000.
changes in conflict geography
“What we are seeing is that Ukraine is getting better at waging a war inside Russia,” said Adriano Bossoni, director of analysis at global risk analysis firm RANE.
“For much of the war, Russia operated on the assumption that its own territory was secure. This is no longer the case.”
He argued that the strategic logic is eroded by logistics: by forcing Russia to redeploy supplies and air defenses over a wider area, Kiev seeks to degrade moscowAbility to maintain large scale operations.
The Paris-based International Energy Agency says repeated drone attacks have cut Russia’s refining capacity by about 500,000 barrels per day. This has led to domestic fuel shortages and curbs on diesel and jet fuel exports, while overall global oil production remains stable and prices stable.
Kiev’s domestic strike capability allows independent drone launches, bypassing the Western approval required for imported long-range weapons. This autonomy was preceded by tighter sanctions on Russia: tensions between the allies only increased after Ukraine spent months destroying Russian refineries.
On the ground, every mission is a study in tradeoffs. Considering the human cost, Fidel said less than 30 percent of drones reach the target area, so careful planning is necessary.
He said, “The war depends on our generation so that we can fight for our children and that they can live in a free democratic country.”
“We are currently gaining experience that will be used by every country in the world, and we are paying the price for it with our lives and the lives of our friends.”