Ukraine confirms strikes on Russian cruise missile fuel plant, missile facilities

Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Ukraine’s military launched an attack on several Russian regions overnight on Oct. 9,  striking three Russian facilities involved in missile launches and fuel production, including a factory that manufactures fuel components for Kh-55 and Kh-101 cruise missiles, Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed.

The attacks targeted facilities in Tver and Nizhny Novgorod oblasts, while Russian and Ukrainian monitoring channels separately reported strikes on oil infrastructure in other regions.

In Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Ukrainian forces struck a facility belonging to the V.P. Barmin Research Institute of Launch Complexes near Dalneye Konstantinovo-5, the General Staff said.

The institute is part of Russia’s Center for Operation of Ground-Based Space Infrastructure (TsENKI), which develops, maintains, and operates rocket launch complexes, fueling equipment, and missile control systems.

Another strike targeted the Center for the Disposal of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles near Surovatikha, also in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. According to the General Staff, the attack was intended to weaken Russia’s capacity to produce explosives and rocket fuel.

In Tver Oblast, the General Staff confirmed a strike on the Redkino Experimental Plant, where Telegram monitoring channel Exilenova+, citing resident accounts, had earlier reported flashes of explosions and smoke.

The plant, which produces components of Decilin-M rocket fuel, as well as fuel additives for diesel and aviation kerosene, was previously struck in a Ukrainian attack in February 2026. The attack destroyed around 6,000 FPV (first-person-view) drones and their components, the General Staff said.

The plant is under sanctions imposed by the U.S., the U.K., and several other countries.

Russia routinely uses Kh-55 and Kh-101 cruise missiles missiles to attack Ukrainian cities, including during recent mass missile strikes on Kyiv.

Elsewhere in Russia, a Ukrainian attack reportedly led to a fire at an oil depot located north of the city of Belgorod, according to NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) monitoring platform.

The extent of the damage caused was not immediately clear.

In Russia’s Komi Republic, Ukrainian drones reportedly struck the Lukoil-owned Ukhta oil refinery on the morning of Oct. 9, with footage showing black smoke rising from the facility, independent Russian outlet The Moscow Times reported.

Independent Russian media outlet Astra geolocated eyewitness footage showing smoke rising from the refinery, while Ukrainian monitoring channel Supernova+ reported explosions and drone activity in Ukhta.

The refinery processed approximately 3 million metric tons of oil in 2025, accounting for around 1.1% of Russia’s total oil refining output. It produces gasoline, diesel fuel, fuel oil, and vacuum gas oil.

Russian aviation authorities temporarily suspended flights at Ukhta airport amid the attack. Local authorities also declared a drone alert, while the city’s mayor, Marina Meteleva, described the situation as under  control.

The refinery, located approximately 1,700 kilometers (1,056 miles) from the Ukrainian border, was previously targeted by Ukrainian drones in February 2026 and August 2025.

The Kyiv Independent cannot immediately verify the reports. Ukraine’s military has not yet commented on the reported attack.

While the weaponry used in the reported attack was not immediately clear, Ukraine has often used long-range drones to strike facilities and oil infrastructure that directly support Russia’s war in Ukraine.