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Russia Builds Massive Jet Drone Launch Base Near Ukraine in Just 6 Weeks
Confirmed
In Short: Satellite imagery reveals a new drone launch facility nearing completion in Russia's southwestern Rostov region, capable of launching up to 100 jet-powered drones in a single day, according to Arise News.
The facility, which transformed from an empty field into a sprawling complex in just six weeks, covers an area of 0.9 square kilometers, equivalent to roughly 126 football pitches.
Defense experts say the site is designed to launch Russia’s latest jet-powered drones, the Geran-4 and Geran-5, which can reach speeds of up to 600 kilometers per hour (373 miles per hour), as reported by the Kyiv Post.
The new facility adds to Russia's existing network of at least 11 fixed launch sites used in attacks on Ukraine, according to Arise News.
Ukraine’s air force reported an increase in Russian drone strikes in September, with 3,177 attacks up to September 29, according to the Malaymail.
The USD/JPY pair gained traction during the Asian session on Thursday, building on the previous day's bounce from the 156.40-156.35 region, or a one-and-a-half-week low, as reported by Fxstreet.
In a separate development, a missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement struck a building belonging to Saudi Arabia’s state oil company Aramco in the eastern city of Dhahran, escalating the confrontation between the Iran-backed group and the Saudi-led coalition, as reported by the BBC.
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned that the intensifying conflict could have “potentially negative spillovers for everybody, everywhere,” according to the BBC.
Russian drone strikes killed two people and injured at least 43 as of 5:00 p.m. local time, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
The drone attacks targeted a medical center operated by Dobrobut Academy near Kyiv’s Olimpiiska metro station and a building belonging to the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi District.
About an hour earlier, a Russian drone hit a building belonging to the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi District, killing one person and wounding four, according to Ukrainian officials.
Klitschko initially reported a drone attack on a nonresidential building, while photos from the scene later confirmed it was part of the National Academy of Sciences.
The attack came about an hour after another Russian drone hit the National Academy of Sciences building nearby.
What's confirmed
- Monnik estimated that the facility could potentially launch 100 or more jet-powered drones in 24 hours, although actual capacity would depend on supplies, operational objectives and other factors.
What's still developing
- Satellite imagery shows a 0.9-square-kilometre facility nearing completion as Moscow expands its faster drone capabilities for attacks on Ukraine.
- Ukrainian open-source intelligence (OSINT) group Absolutely Reliable Source reported the construction on Oct. 13, citing satellite imagery.
- U.S. President Donald Trump criticized President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with Newsmax published on Oct. 15, describing the Ukrainian president as "not a good guy for (the U.S.) to deal with."
- Trump said the deal was reached in a discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin and is expected to bring the cost of diesel down for Americans in the near future.
- "I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter," Trump said on Truth Social.
- " near the Central Station, Kyiv Independent reporters confirmed. The round structure was built in the 70's as an experimental indoor market and is one of Kyiv's many modernist buildings. Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, chairman of the board of Ukrzaliznytsia, said that Russia struck railway infrastructure in Kyiv and injured one of their workers. At 11:02 am local time, Ukrzaliznytsia said that the Kyiv Central Station was not damaged by the Russian strikes."
- The building, located near Delhi University's South Campus and opposite Sri Venkateswara College, collapsed at around 1.30 pm on Sunday while repair and renovation work was reportedly underway.
- “I believe that achieving a truce could be one of the key outcomes of this meeting. It could be a truce covering both the energy sector and the Black Sea — specifically in that combination,” he said.
- Today’s biggest developments and headlines include the climate crisis (always at the top of these news highlights because it’s existential and should be a massive story every single day)…plus lots more…see below.