- Russia carried out air attacks on Ukraine overnight, targeting mainly Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia and Odesa regions with missiles and 157 drones.
- Ukraine's Air Force reported that air defenses downed 131 targets, without indicating whether any missiles were intercepted.
- Ukrainian forces reportedly struck a military airfield in Russia's Rostov Oblast overnight on Sept. 16, while a fire broke out at the Yaroslavl oil refinery following reports of a drone attack.
- Rostov Oblast Governor Yuri Slyusar claimed that drones were destroyed in the Millerovsky and Kamensky districts, with no reports of casualties or damage.
- Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces stated that the strike on Millerovo military airfield destroyed several Russian radar systems and damaged aviation infrastructure.
- Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries have become a significant aspect of Kyiv's long-range drone campaign, contributing to fuel shortages and sharply reducing Russian production over the summer.
- Rostov Oblast hosts several Russian military aviation facilities and has been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian forces.
Russia launched a major air assault on Ukraine, firing 157 drones and missiles, primarily targeting Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa. Ukraine's Air Force reported that air defenses managed to down 131 targets during the attack.123
In a counter-offensive, Ukrainian forces struck the Millerovo military airfield in Rostov Oblast, damaging several Russian radar systems and aviation infrastructure. This strike is part of Ukraine's ongoing campaign to target Russian military assets, which has included attacks on oil refineries, significantly impacting Russia's fuel production.467
Reports indicate that Ukrainian drones also targeted the Yaroslavl oil refinery, resulting in explosions and a fire at the facility. Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries have become a critical aspect of Kyiv's drone campaign, contributing to fuel shortages in Russia. Despite these developments, the conflict shows no signs of abating, with both sides continuing their military operations without an energy truce in sight.
Rostov Oblast Governor Yuri Slyusar claimed that Russian forces repelled aerial attacks, asserting no casualties or damage were reported on the ground. However, the extent of damage from the Ukrainian strikes remains unverified.5
As the conflict escalates, the targeting of military and energy infrastructure underscores the ongoing struggle for dominance in the region.
“Ukraine's Air Force said air defenses downed 131 targets, but it did not confirm whether any missiles were intercepted. The refinery strike is part of Kyiv's long-range drone campaign that has contributed to fuel shortages and pushed Russian production down sharply over the summer.”
