New Shelters, Launchers: Russia Expands Drone Base Used Against Kyiv

Russia is continuing to expand the Tsymbulova drone base in Oryol Oblast, a facility used to launch large numbers of jet-powered drones targeting Kyiv. Satellite imagery reportedly shows that construction at the base has continued uninterrupted for the past four weeks, according to the Strategic Aviation Telegram channel.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. A new area has appeared southeast of the existing launchers, featuring eight domed shelters for jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a new launcher. Paved pads have also been prepared for another eight shelters and two launchers. Six hangars for strike drones that were still under construction in early September have now been completed. Fourteen additional hangars have appeared along the access road. Some surface-level shelters at the base have also reportedly been converted into underground structures. Analysts cited by Strategic Aviation estimate that the changes could make the facilities more difficult to destroy. At the same time, a football field has been built on the site of one of the former drone storage structures. More launchers, fewer drones left exposed Separately, satellite imagery has revealed construction near existing Geran-5 launchers, with sites being prepared for six additional launchers. Towers are also being built nearby. Analysts suggest they could be used to support anti-drone netting and communications. Strategic Aviation said the expansion is already affecting the composition of Russian attacks on Kyiv. Other Topics of Interest Latvia’s Russian Speakers Reject Putin’s ‘Russian World’ as Election Looms In Latvia’s Russian-speaking east, many residents say Moscow’s war against Ukraine has strengthened their identification with Latvia. “We would like to note that the results of constructing more launchers are already visible: the share of ‘Geran-5’ drones among all UAVs launched at Kyiv is now around 75% (compared to about 10% a month ago),” the statement reads. According to the channel, construction is expected to continue at the Tsymbulova site. Satellite imagery has detected construction equipment in the northeastern part of the facility, an area that had previously been unused. New storage facilities are reportedly likely to be built there. At the same time, as the number of storage structures increases, fewer Russian drones are being left in the open. While nearly 100 UAVs were located in open areas at the end of summer, monitoring data now indicates that the number has fallen to around 10. Russia has sharply increased jet-powered drone use Russia significantly increased its use of jet-powered drones against Ukraine in September, Yuriy Ihnat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, said during a televised news marathon. As of Sept. 29, Russian forces had launched 3,177 jet-powered drones during the month, according to Ihnat. “We have already seen more drones this month than in the previous one overall... We recorded 2,850 jet-powered UAVs in August, whereas this month the figure is already 3,177. In other words, we see that the enemy has significantly increased the number of jet-powered UAVs,” Ihnat said. He added that Russian forces were launching the drones in waves, with Kyiv and the surrounding region remaining primary targets. Other Ukrainian cities, including Kharkiv, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kherson, and Dnipro, are also facing frequent Russian drone attacks, Ihnat said. He added that Russian aerial assets occasionally reach western Ukraine, with jet-powered drones capable of covering much greater distances. Ihnat said Ukraine needs additional missiles for Patriot systems and other ground-based air defense systems to counter jet-powered UAVs and Russian ballistic missiles. He also said the Defense Forces were relying on Ukrainian manufacturers to develop faster solutions to the growing aerial threat. “The Air Force and the entire Defense Forces expect our manufacturers and the defense industry to deliver solutions as quickly as possible, so they can be rapidly scaled up for the troops – the people defending the skies every day,” he said. Ukraine currently uses a combination of tactical aviation, including F-16 fighter jets, and ground-based air defense systems to repel Russian attacks, although their effectiveness depends in part on available missile stocks. Ihnat said international partners were already providing Ukraine with additional air defense missile packages but stressed that continued support was necessary. He added that man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) can be used against jet-powered UAVs once the drones enter their engagement range. F-16 pilots destroyed more than 3,150 aerial targets since entering combat Ukrainian F-16 pilots have shot down more than 3,150 aerial targets since the start of their combat operations, including 666 cruise missiles and around 2,500 UAVs of various types, according to Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Anatolii Kryvonozhko. “Our pilots are employing the available F-16s with maximum efficiency despite the limited ammunition supply,” Kryvonozhko said. “Using a diverse range of weaponry, Ukrainian F-16 pilots have already shot down over 3,150 aerial targets – 666 cruise missiles and about 2,500 UAVs of various types – and have carried out more than 650 airstrikes against enemy ground targets,” he added. Kryvonozhko made the remarks following a meeting between a Ukrainian Air Force delegation and representatives of US defense company Lockheed Martin. Conor McGuire, who heads F-16 capability development, praised the combat use of the aircraft by Ukrainian pilots and the work of ground crews. He also expressed readiness to help Ukraine enhance the capabilities of its existing F-16 fleet. Julia is a Deputy Head of News and correspondent for Kyiv Post who has previously worked as a parliamentary editor, journalist, and news editor. She has specialized in covering the work of the Ukrainian parliament, government, and law enforcement agencies.