Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 24, 2026
Russian forces are targeting western Ukraine and moving drones closer to the European Union, according to the Institute for the Study of War. Recent strikes hit a high-rise residential building in Khmelnytskyi and damaged infrastructure in the Rivne region. In the east, Russian troops continue attacks in Sumy and Kharkiv without confirmed progress, while Ukrainian counter-actions near Lyman are disrupting Russian plans. Simultaneously, Ukrainian strikes have reportedly disabled Russia's seventh-largest refinery in the Ural Mountains, which previously processed 252,000 barrels of crude per day.
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- ✓ A Russian drone struck a high-rise residential building in Khmelnytskyi.
- ✓ Russian attacks caused infrastructure damage in the Rivne region without reported injuries.
- ✓ The Institute for the Study of War warned of a trend of Russian drones moving closer to the EU.
What changed
Russia has expanded drone operations into western Ukraine and the EU border regions.
Live updates
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Russia Shifts Drone Attacks Toward Western Ukraine and EU Borders
Russian forces are targeting western Ukraine and moving drones closer to the European Union, according to the Institute for the Study of War. Recent strikes hit a high-rise residential building in Khmelnytskyi and damaged infrastructure in the Rivne region. In the east, Russian troops continue attacks in Sumy and Kharkiv without confirmed progress, while Ukrainian counter-actions near Lyman are disrupting Russian plans. Simultaneously, Ukrainian strikes have reportedly disabled Russia's seventh-largest refinery in the Ural Mountains, which previously processed 252,000 barrels of crude per day.
Why it matters
The expansion of strikes into western Ukraine signals a shift in Russian targeting toward areas previously less affected by drone warfare. These operations occur as Russia attempts to maintain offensive pressure in the east despite Ukrainian resistance near Lyman. The targeting of deep-interior Russian refineries aims to degrade the Kremlin's fuel supply and economic capacity.
What is confirmed
- A Russian drone struck a high-rise residential building in Khmelnytskyi.
- Russian attacks caused infrastructure damage in the Rivne region without reported injuries.
- The Institute for the Study of War warned of a trend of Russian drones moving closer to the EU.
Still unconfirmed
- Ukrainian counter-actions near Lyman are complicating Russian operational plans.
What to watch next
- Confirmation of the operational status of the Perm refinery
- Evidence of further Russian drone incursions near EU borders
- Confirmed territorial changes in the Sumy and Kharkiv sectors
confidence 85%Sources used for this update (11)
- Institute for the Study of War — Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 24, 2026
- ua.news — Russia is attacking western Ukraine and moving drones closer to the EU: ISW has warned of this trend
- АНТИКОР — A video of the explosion after the drone fell in Khmelnytskyi has appeared online
- Межа. Новини України. — Russian Attack Damages Infrastructure in Ukraine’s Rivne Region, No Injuries Reported
- Ukrinform — Russian drone hits high-rise residential building in Khmelnytskyi
- www.iranintl.com — Trump may be buying time on Iran until after the midterms
- www.kyivpost.com — Russia’s 7th-Largest Refinery in Perm Reportedly Offline After Friday Attack
- ca.sports.yahoo.com — Journalist reveals the chances of Trent Alexander-Arnold returning to Liverpool
- ca.sports.yahoo.com — Official: Kylian Mbappé's time out is now known!
- www.kyivpost.com — ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 25, 2026
- society.comments.ua — Кремль рапортует о новых успехах России сразу на нескольких направлениях: в США отреагировали
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