Ukraine targets key Russian military facilities with drone strikes

In the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the Ukrainian military reported successful strikes carried out by long-range drones on significant Russian military sites. On October 5, 2025, Ukrainian forces targeted the Sverdlov ammunition plant in the Nizhny Novgorod region of western Russia, causing considerable destruction including multiple explosions and fires. This facility is vital for supplying munitions to Russian troops, including various types of ordnance. In addition to the ammunition plant, Ukrainian drones also hit an oil terminal in Crimea, igniting a blaze, and an ammunition depot linked to the Russian 18th Combined Arms Army, intensifying pressures on Russian military logistics. These drone strikes come amid a series of escalating attacks, with Russian authorities noting that recent Ukrainian offensives were among the largest since the beginning of the conflict. They reported the interception of 251 Ukrainian drones over 14 Russian regions, including the annexed territory of Crimea and adjacent sea areas. The strikes reflect Ukraine's ongoing strategy to disrupt Russian supply lines, especially with improvements in domestic drone production and weaponry. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized the growing importance of domestic production capabilities in meeting the country's defense needs, aiming to increase the proportion of Ukrainian-produced weapons utilized at the front. As the conflict advances, Ukraine's military strategy focuses heavily on leveraging technology, such as drones, to counterbalance the larger Russian national economy and military forces. Furthermore, Ukraine plans to start exporting surplus weapons to fund the acquisition of advanced systems, illustrating its commitment to enhancing defense capabilities and supporting international partners.