KYIV, Oct. 22, 2025 — Ukraine’s security agency said on Tuesday it had destroyed two Russian aircraft used to hunt drones at an airfield in the occupied Zaporizhzhia region, as Kyiv’s forces pressed ahead with long-range drone attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said its “A” Center for Special Operations carried out the strike about 85 kilometers behind the front line. The operation reportedly targeted aircraft that Russian forces had adapted to intercept Ukrainian drones.
Video released by the SBU showed explosions and plumes of smoke rising from what appeared to be an airfield. The agency said the mission was part of ongoing efforts to “clear the skies” over occupied territory.
“There is no safe place for Russian equipment on Ukrainian land,” the SBU said in a Telegram post.
Moscow’s defense ministry and local occupation officials did not immediately comment on the reports, and independent verification of the destruction was not immediately possible.
Ukrainian Drones Hit Russian Energy Sites
The announcement came as Ukraine intensified drone strikes deep inside Russia, targeting key oil and gas facilities in several regions, including Saratov, Samara, and Orenburg. The campaign, ongoing through October, aims to disrupt Russia’s refining capacity and reduce its ability to supply fuel for military operations.
According to Reuters and industry sources, several refineries and processing plants have reported temporary shutdowns or reduced output following recent strikes. The Orenburg gas-processing plant, which also handles output from Kazakhstan’s Karachaganak field, reportedly suffered damage that led to a brief production slowdown.
Russian authorities said many drones were intercepted by air defenses but acknowledged minor damage at some facilities. Kyiv has not publicly commented on all specific strikes, maintaining a policy of strategic ambiguity on operations inside Russian territory.
Winter Escalation Expected
The latest attacks come as both countries prepare for another winter of intensified fighting. Western analysts say Ukraine’s drone campaign seeks to undermine Russia’s war economy and limit its capacity to carry out renewed strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid in the coming months.
Ukraine, meanwhile, is reinforcing its own power infrastructure and energy storage facilities in anticipation of potential Russian bombardments targeting critical utilities.
