(NEW YORK) – Ukraine has intensified its military pressure on Russia through a series of drone strikes targeting oil refineries, air defences, warehouses, and even rare aircraft in occupied Crimea. The strikes come as ordinary Russians face record fuel prices and shortages, while the Kremlin struggles with a slowing economy, labour shortages, and growing discontent at home.
One unusual development caught attention when Ukrainian forces reportedly captured a donkey being used for frontline supply runs. Russia began using animals for logistics after repeated losses of supply trucks to Ukrainian strikes. The donkey is expected to spend the rest of its life in Ukraine away from the war.
Beyond this symbolic event, the most significant blows came from strikes on oil facilities in Bryansk and Samara. Russian authorities are attempting to suppress images of fires and damage, but fuel shortages are becoming harder to hide. At some petrol stations, prices have risen by up to 20 percent within days, and pumps have run dry in parts of the country.
| Fuel Prices in Russia (September 2025) |
|---|
| Average: 96 rubles per litre (USD 1.05) |
| Regional: 75–100 rubles per litre (USD 0.82–1.10) |
Social media platforms are circulating photos of empty stations and citizens holding signs that read: “Oil is getting cheaper, but petrol is more expensive.” Analysts link the price rise directly to Ukrainian drone attacks that have reduced refining capacity and distribution networks.
Ukraine has also targeted Russian military infrastructure. A drone strike hit a railway substation critical for military supply lines in Krasnodar Krai, while another damaged a resort complex in occupied Crimea reportedly used by FSB officers. In separate operations, Ukrainian drones destroyed Soviet-era Mi-8 helicopters and a BE-12 amphibious aircraft, both stationed in occupied Crimea.
Military warehouses in the Donbas region were also struck, destroying ammunition stockpiles, drones, and Iskander missile transport vehicles. According to Ukrainian sources, 14 strike drones were used in one assault, which also damaged a Pantsir-S1 air defence system.
The Institute for the Study of War notes that Russia has signed contracts with almost 292,000 recruits, forming strategic reserves ahead of winter. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin recently claimed 700,000 soldiers were deployed in occupied territories, yet advances on the battlefield remain limited. Despite their numbers, Russian troops have not managed to capture key towns such as Lyman or Kostiantynivka.
On the home front, discontent is slowly emerging. A woman in Moscow was detained after protesting outside the Ministry of Defence, demanding the return of her sons who had been mobilised three years earlier despite promises of a six-month deployment.
Russia’s economic situation is worsening. Data reviewed by Novaya Gazeta Europe indicates wages in the defence sector have fallen by 10 percent this year, while nearly 600,000 military related jobs remain unfilled. Oil export revenue has dropped sharply since 2022, falling from USD 155 billion to USD 96 billion. Economists warn of a looming financial crisis if the trend continues.
Russian airlines are also facing difficulties. With sanctions restricting access to spare parts for Boeing and Airbus aircraft, officials admit parts of the fleet may soon be grounded. Russia had seized hundreds of leased aircraft from Western companies in 2022, complicating maintenance further.
At the United Nations in New York, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the General Assembly and later met with US leader Donald Trump. Zelensky expressed gratitude for American support but avoided expectations of breakthroughs, as Trump’s stance towards Russia remains unclear. When asked whether he trusted Putin, Trump said he would decide “in about a month,” continuing a pattern of delayed answers.
Meanwhile, Russia has launched its own music contest, “Intervision,” after being barred from Eurovision. The contest featured authoritarian states, with Vietnam declared the winner. Few Western artists were willing to participate.
Despite Russia’s efforts to showcase cultural alternatives, the reality on the battlefield and at home reflects mounting pressure. Ukraine’s drone strategy, combined with Russian economic weakness and public discontent, signals an increasingly difficult winter ahead for Moscow.
