Cont: The Russian Invasion of Ukraine part 9

[Andy_Ross]

On Thursday, October 8, drones attacked the Omsk Oil Refinery in Russia, located about 2,500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

The Moscow Times reported this, Ukrinform says.

Governor Vitaly Khotsenko of the Omsk region said the region came under attack by Ukrainian drones on October 8.

Earlier, local authorities reported restrictions on mobile internet access and the closure of Omsk Airport.

Meanwhile, Omsk residents reported a series of explosions near the oil refinery. “There was smoke coming from the pipes. We heard two explosions,” one eyewitness said.

The Omsk Oil Refinery, located about 2,500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, is Russia’s largest. It is owned by Gazprom Neft and can process up to 22 million tons of oil per year.

According to the refinery’s website, the facility produces “one in every six liters of Russian gasoline and fifth-class environmental standard diesel fuel.”

Ukraine strikes Russia’s largest oil refinery 2,500 kilometers from border – media

 

[theprestige]

How did civilians acquire a military helicopter? Did it fall off the back of a lorry?

What would be wild is if, in 2026, Russian military equipment was not in the hands of civilians.

 

[Wudang]

What would be wild is if, in 2026, Russian military equipment was not in the hands of civilians.

Sheesh. That makes 3 fails for my attempted joke. I'll stick to my day job - shame I'm retired.

 

[Safe-Keeper]

On Thursday, October 8, drones attacked the Omsk Oil Refinery in Russia, located about 2,500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

The Moscow Times reported this, Ukrinform says.

Governor Vitaly Khotsenko of the Omsk region said the region came under attack by Ukrainian drones on October 8.

Earlier, local authorities reported restrictions on mobile internet access and the closure of Omsk Airport.

Meanwhile, Omsk residents reported a series of explosions near the oil refinery. “There was smoke coming from the pipes. We heard two explosions,” one eyewitness said.

The Omsk Oil Refinery, located about 2,500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, is Russia’s largest. It is owned by Gazprom Neft and can process up to 22 million tons of oil per year.

According to the refinery’s website, the facility produces “one in every six liters of Russian gasoline and fifth-class environmental standard diesel fuel.”

Ukraine strikes Russia’s largest oil refinery 2,500 kilometers from border – media

Wikipedia cutout showing location.


Oh, and a sixth of the gasoline and diesel production? putin must be livid. Or perhaps just horrified.

 

[steenkh]

Sheesh. That makes 3 fails for my attempted joke. I'll stick to my day job - shame I'm retired.

I found it funny — for all it is worth.

 

[P.J. Denyer]

I found it funny — for all it is worth.

Likewise.

 

[Andy_Ross]

I posted about air to air just a short while ago.

Ukraine to Get Tens of Thousands of SPYS Interceptor Drones Built to Hunt Russia’s Jet Shaheds

German defense company Quantum Systems plans to supply Ukraine with tens of thousands of SPYS interceptor drones designed, among other missions, to counter Russia’s new jet-powered Geran-4 and Geran-5 UAVs, company Vice President Matthias Lehna said during a press briefing in Berlin, according to Ukrinform on October 7...

“Over the weekend, an LOI [letter of intent] was signed to provide a package of tens of thousands of SPYS, which, as already mentioned, are capable of shooting down jet-powered drones,” Lehna said...

SPYS was developed jointly by Quantum Systems and Ukrainian partner WIY through their joint venture, Quantum WIY Industries.

According to the company, experience gained from operating earlier systems in Ukraine—including the STRILA interceptor drone—was incorporated directly into the development of the new platform...

Ukraine to Get Tens of Thousands of SPYS Interceptor Drones Built to Hunt Russia’s Jet Shaheds

Quantum Systems says "thousands of units are ready for delivery this year" as Ukraine improves interception rates over 50% against jet-powered Shaheds.

united24media.com

 

[Trebuchet]

Wikipedia cutout showing location.
View attachment 76647

Oh, and a sixth of the gasoline and diesel production? putin must be livid. Or perhaps just horrified.

Not just Putin, Trump too.

 

[EHocking]

Not just Putin, Trump too.

Slightly disagree.
It is a boon to Trump’s lie that diesel shortages and current high costs are because of Ukraine attacks on Russia and not U.S. attacks on Iran/restrictions in Strait of Hormuz.

 

[plague311]

I posted about air to air just a short while ago.

Ukraine to Get Tens of Thousands of SPYS Interceptor Drones Built to Hunt Russia’s Jet Shaheds

German defense company Quantum Systems plans to supply Ukraine with tens of thousands of SPYS interceptor drones designed, among other missions, to counter Russia’s new jet-powered Geran-4 and Geran-5 UAVs, company Vice President Matthias Lehna said during a press briefing in Berlin, according to Ukrinform on October 7...

“Over the weekend, an LOI [letter of intent] was signed to provide a package of tens of thousands of SPYS, which, as already mentioned, are capable of shooting down jet-powered drones,” Lehna said...

SPYS was developed jointly by Quantum Systems and Ukrainian partner WIY through their joint venture, Quantum WIY Industries.

According to the company, experience gained from operating earlier systems in Ukraine—including the STRILA interceptor drone—was incorporated directly into the development of the new platform...

Ukraine to Get Tens of Thousands of SPYS Interceptor Drones Built to Hunt Russia’s Jet Shaheds

Quantum Systems says "thousands of units are ready for delivery this year" as Ukraine improves interception rates over 50% against jet-powered Shaheds.

united24media.com

The most crucial part, aside from the awesome intercepting abilities, is:

The planned SPYS package could become one of the largest interceptor-drone deliveries announced for Ukraine so far. Quantum Systems said it can build on manufacturing infrastructure already established for the STRILA interceptor, allowing production to scale quickly.

“And I’m talking here about several thousand per month,” Lehna said when discussing potential output.

They're going to have enough of them to be consistently relied upon, unlike patriot missiles.

 

[Safe-Keeper]

ISW reports Ukraine continues to advance:

1. Russian milbloggers recently acknowledged Ukrainian advances east of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk, possibly after months of battlefield shaping efforts similar to those which Ukrainian forces conducted in the months leading up to Operation Vivaldi in the Lyman direction.
2. Russian milbloggers are acknowledging that these Ukrainian counterattacks in the Slovyansk and Kramatorsk directions may have cascading effects and implications for Russian efforts to seize the Fortress Belt.
3. Ukrainian forces have evolved their tactics and operational planning throughout 2026 in ways that have likely supported recent reported Ukrainian successes east of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk.

Link

I'm not an expert, so I can't judge if the Fortress Belt will eventually fall, but they're sure making it as hard as they can for the russians to take it.

 

[icerat]

Yeah, that was stupid of Ukraine to publicize. Even if no formal agreement was in place to keep it secret, it should have been obvious this was sensitive information, and should only ever be released in coordination with South Korea.

The South Korean Foreign Minister was talking about it in June, even posted photos of one of the POWs. There was nothing secret about it. It was in multiple places in Ukrainian, South Korean, and I think other media.

Seoul rules out Hormuz toll, eyes Middle East reconstruction projects - The Korea Times

Korea is positioning itself for a postwar role in Middle East reconstruction while maintaining firm opposition to any tolls on Strait of Hormuz pas...

www.koreatimes.co.kr

 

[Jack by the hedge]

I don't grasp what the issues are with this Korean POWs story.

S. Korea appears to have got all upset, said it was supposed to be a secret, and demanded an apology. Ukraine so far as I know has said nothing. S. Korea next threatened to withdraw their ambassador and expel Ukraine's. Ukraine so far as I know has said nothing.

That's just weird. It rather sounds as if the Koreans might be flexing for some domestic political purpose. On the other hand it seems odd that the Ukrainians didn't defuse the situation straight away by just saying "Oops, sorry".

There's something else going on and I have no idea what it is.

 

[icerat]

I don't grasp what the issues are with this Korean POWs story.

S. Korea appears to have got all upset, said it was supposed to be a secret, and demanded an apology. Ukraine so far as I know has said nothing. S. Korea next threatened to withdraw their ambassador and expel Ukraine's. Ukraine so far as I know has said nothing.

That's just weird. It rather sounds as if the Koreans might be flexing for some domestic political purpose. On the other hand it seems odd that the Ukrainians didn't defuse the situation straight away by just saying "Oops, sorry".

There's something else going on and I have no idea what it is.

well, if you recall SK has been having major domestic issues of late. With dueling "presidents" and claims of fraudulent elections and chinese interference ... I've no idea who to believe to be honest, but Lee is certainly not helping his credibility here ...

 

[Andy_Ross]

The most crucial part, aside from the awesome intercepting abilities, is:


They're going to have enough of them to be consistently relied upon, unlike patriot missiles.

Also being looked at by NATO countries.

 

[icerat]

Also being looked at by NATO countries.

Did see a Ukrainian analyst who thought these are great but will likely be obsolete within months.

 

[plague311]

Did see a Ukrainian analyst who thought these are great but will likely be obsolete within months.

Hopefully many lives will be saved in the time it takes for them to be rendered obsolete.

 

[Mike!]

If there's one thing I've noticed about how Ukraine seems to treat their available weapons is, nothing's obsolete, it just hasn't been adapted to it's new purpose yet.

 

[Andy_Ross]

Did see a Ukrainian analyst who thought these are great but will likely be obsolete within months.

Maybe, let's see.

 

[theprestige]

What exactly does he think is going to get obsoleted, and by what new development? Jet-powered buzz bombs seems like a thoroughly explored problem space. It's just a question of whether you have the technical know-how and industrial capability to manufacture interceptors that can fit in the engagement window.