Budanov Says Russia Will Keep Drone Attacks Until September Vote

Live updates

1. 11d ago

   Russia Intensifies Kyiv Drone Attacks as Ukraine Targets Fuel Infrastructure

   Russia has shifted to round-the-clock drone and missile strikes in Kyiv, moving away from primarily nocturnal attacks to disrupt daily life. Intelligence chief Budanov expects these aerial assaults to persist until the September vote. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone swarms targeting Russian oil refineries have caused gasoline shortages across Russia. To mitigate these disruptions, Russia is importing gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Vsevolod Chentsov is now calling for increased financial aid from non-EU allies to cover one third of the country's needs.

   Why it matters

   The escalation follows a period where Russia deployed 800 jet-powered drones over four days to exhaust Ukrainian defenses. This aerial war has expanded into Russian territory, where energy infrastructure is now a primary target. The shift in timing for Kyiv strikes suggests a tactical move to maximize psychological and operational strain.

   What is confirmed

   • Russian drone and missile attacks in Kyiv now occur round-the-clock rather than mostly at night.
   • Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries triggered a gasoline shortage in Russia.
   • Russia is importing jet fuel, diesel, and gasoline.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Budanov reports drone attacks will continue until the September vote.
   • President Zelenskyy claims Ukrainian drones have closed Russian airspace.
   • Recent strikes in Odesa and Kyiv wounded at least eight civilians.

   What to watch next

   • The outcome of the September vote mentioned by Budanov
   • Official confirmation of non-EU financial aid packages for Ukraine
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. apnews.com — Russians endured a summer of turmoil with gas crisis and swarms of drones as the war came home
   2. tass.com — Situation with fuel in Russia and global oil demand: statements by Novak
   3. tass.com — Belgium to keep blocking Russian asset expropriation — foreign minister
   4. tass.com — Death toll from US Tuesday strikes rises to 18, injured to 108 — authorities
   5. apnews.com — Russia shifts tactics with round-the-clock attacks on Kyiv, disrupting daily life
   6. kyivindependent.com — Ukraine's Europe minister says non-EU allies need to step up their financial support
   confidence 90%
2. 14d ago

   Russia Intensifies Drone Campaign Ahead of September Vote

   Russia has launched a new phase of aerial warfare using nonstop waves of new-generation drones to exhaust Ukrainian defenses. Recent escalations include the deployment of 800 jet-powered drones over four days. Intelligence chief Budanov reports these attacks will continue until the September vote. Simultaneously, President Zelenskyy claims Ukrainian drones have effectively closed Russian airspace, warning air companies that flight operations over Russia are now compromised. Recent strikes in the Kyiv and Odesa regions have wounded at least eight civilians.

   Why it matters

   The shift to all-day drone waves represents a tactical change intended to wear down civilian and military resilience. This escalation coincides with Ukraine's own efforts to disrupt Russian logistics and aviation via long-range drone strikes.

   What is confirmed

   • Russia launched 800 jet-powered drones into Ukraine over a four-day period.
   • Russian aerial attacks in the Odesa and Kyiv regions wounded at least eight civilians.
   • President Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian drones have effectively closed Russian airspace.
   • Russia is using new-generation drones in nonstop waves to wear down Ukraine.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Budanov claims Russia will maintain drone attacks until the September vote.

   What to watch next

   • Evidence of disrupted commercial air traffic within Russian borders
   • Further deployments of jet-powered drone variants
   • Official results or developments regarding the September vote
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. WSJ — The Russia-Ukraine Air War Has Entered a New, Deadlier Phase
   2. The New York Times — Russia Torments Kyiv With New Tactic of Nonstop Waves of Drones
   3. The Guardian — Russia fires 800 jet-powered drones into Ukraine in four days
   4. Kyiv Post — Budanov Says Russia Will Keep Drone Attacks Until September Vote
   5. WSJ — Russia Turns to New-Generation Drones and All-Day Attacks to Wear Down Ukrainians
   6. Kyiv Post — New Stage of Russia’s Drone War – Concerns for Ukraine?
   7. UNITED24 Media — “Russian Sky Will Be Closed”, Zelenskyy Warns Air Companies Operating in Russia
   8. Reuters — Zelenskiy says Ukrainian drones have effectively closed Russian airspace
   9. Bloomberg.com — Zelenskyy Threatens to Shut Air Traffic Over Russia With Drones
   10. apnews.com — Russian attacks wound 8 Ukrainian civilians as Moscow and Kyiv threaten to raise the stakes
   11. tass.com — Press review: NATO excludes Russia from drone probes as Japan pursues remilitarization
   12. tass.com — Russian, US finance ministries see basis for developing bilateral ties — Siluanov
   confidence 90%