WATCH: Ukraine Hits Black Sea Target and Russian Drone Site

Ukraine struck an unspecified target in the Black Sea and several military and energy facilities across Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday, Oct. 1. According to Zelensky, Ukrainian forces hit a site used to launch and store attack drones in Russia’s Oryol region, an oil facility in the Samara region, and a supply depot supporting Russian occupation forces in the Bryansk region.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Zelensky did not identify the target in the Black Sea or say whether it was a vessel, offshore facility, or other military asset. He also did not disclose which oil facility was struck in Samara or provide an initial assessment of the damage. The claims could not be independently verified at the time of publication. Russian authorities had not publicly confirmed the full list of reported strikes. “Just responses” to Russian attacks Zelensky thanked Ukrainian defense-industry workers and military personnel involved in producing long-range weapons, identifying Russian targets and carrying out the strikes. “Thank you to all our defenders who are working to return Russia’s sick war to where it came from,” he said. The president described the attacks on Russian military and energy infrastructure as Ukrainian “sanctions” intended to reduce Moscow’s ability to continue its invasion. “These are exactly the kind of just responses that are needed now,” Zelensky said. “We will continue depriving Russia of the ability to continue this war.” Other Topics of Interest Bulgarian PM Warns Putin Holds a ‘Nuclear Trump Card’ Rutte dismissed Russian nuclear threats linked to Kaliningrad and urged Moscow to end its war against Ukraine. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev, however, warned the risks should be taken seriously and called for greater diplomatic engagement. Russia expands Oryol drone infrastructure The announcement came one day after reports that Russia was expanding its Tsymbulova drone base in the Oryol region, adding shelters and infrastructure for jet-powered attack drones used against Ukrainian cities. Ukraine previously struck a military complex near Tsymbulova that was used to store, prepare, and launch attack drones. The Ukrainian General Staff said that operation damaged at least five launchers and three storage facilities. It was not immediately clear whether the site mentioned by Zelensky on Thursday was the same complex. Ukraine has also intensified operations against Russian military and maritime assets in the Black Sea. In September, Ukrainian military intelligence said its forces struck the Russian Black Sea Fleet missile carrier Admiral Essen during an attack on the Novorossiysk naval base. Zelensky’s latest statement, however, offered no indication that Thursday’s reported Black Sea target was a Russian warship or was connected to the previous operation. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.