Ukraine Targets Russian NCO Training Hub and Deep-Strike Missile Infrastructure

Key points

• Ukrainian forces struck a Russian army sergeant training center near Khorly in the temporarily occupied Kherson region, as reported by the General Staff on October 10.
• Command posts near Peremozhne in Zaporizhzhia and Dokuchaievsk in Donetsk were hit, alongside an electronic warfare station near Trukhanove in Russia's Bryansk region.
• Logistics targets included a repair and recovery base near Sukhodilsk in Luhansk, a fuel and lubricants depot near Chystiakove in Donetsk, and supply depots near Rodynkove in Donetsk and Borovenky in Luhansk.
• Ukraine confirmed strikes on the V.P. Barmin Research Institute of Launch Complexes and the Center for the Disposal of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, as well as the Redkino Experimental Plant in Tver Oblast, which produces Decilin-M rocket fuel.
• The Redkino plant, previously struck in February 2026, was hit again, destroying approximately 6,000 FPV drones and components; it is under U.S., U.K., and other international sanctions.
• Ukrainian Air Force data shows the destruction of over 4,700 aerial targets in September 2026, including 24 Kh-101 cruise missiles, 8 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles, and 12 Kalibr missiles.

Background

These strikes occur amid a sustained Ukrainian campaign against Russian military and energy infrastructure, including previous hits on oil refineries and logistics hubs in August 2026. In September, Putin signed a decree expanding the Russian army by 15,500 troops, a move Zelensky interpreted as evidence of a new mobilization. Ukraine's Operation Vivaldi in late September halted Russian advances near Sloviansk and reclaimed 125 square kilometers, shifting the focus of Russian operations toward Dobropillia. The current strikes reflect Ukraine's continued emphasis on degrading Russian training, logistics, and missile production capabilities to offset Moscow's troop expansions and battlefield pressure.

How outlets are covering it

UNITED24 Media and Ukrinform both reported on the October 9-10 strikes, focusing on the sergeant training center in Kherson, command posts in Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk, and the electronic warfare station in Bryansk region. Both outlets cited the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and noted that no details on weapons used or casualties were provided. The Kyiv Independent emphasized the strikes on missile-related facilities in Tver and Nizhny Novgorod regions, highlighting the targeting of fuel production for Kh-55 and Kh-101 cruise missiles and the destruction of 6,000 FPV drones at the Redkino plant. Mezha.net provided broader context on Ukrainian air defense performance, reporting the destruction of over 4,700 aerial targets in September, including specific missile types and drone counts, but did not detail the October 9-10 strikes. The outlets differ in emphasis: UNITED24 and Ukrinform focused on the immediate military targets in occupied Ukraine and Bryansk, while The Kyiv Independent highlighted the strategic impact on Russia's missile production and fuel supply chain. No outlet reported on the Samara linear production and dispatch station strike mentioned in Ukrinform's additional context, and The Kyiv Independent noted that Ukraine had not yet commented on a reported strike on the Ukhta oil refinery in Komi Republic.

Why it matters

The strikes target critical nodes in Russia's military infrastructure, including NCO training, command and control, electronic warfare, and missile fuel production. By hitting the Redkino plant and Barmin Institute, Ukraine aims to degrade Russia's ability to produce and maintain cruise and ballistic missiles, which are used in mass strikes on Ukrainian cities. The destruction of over 4,700 aerial targets in September demonstrates the effectiveness of Ukrainian air defense and deep-strike capabilities, potentially offsetting Russian troop expansions and battlefield advances. These operations also signal Ukraine's continued focus on disrupting Russian logistics and energy assets, which are vital for sustaining the war effort. The strikes may influence Russian military planning and resource allocation, as well as international perceptions of Ukraine's ability to project power deep into Russian territory.

What to watch

Ukrainian forces are expected to continue operations against Russian military targets, including command posts, logistics facilities, and missile infrastructure. The General Staff has indicated that operations against key military targets are ongoing. Russia may respond with increased strikes on Ukrainian civilian and military infrastructure, as seen in recent attacks on Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv. The impact of the Redkino plant strike on Russia's FPV drone production and missile fuel supply chain will be assessed in the coming weeks. Ukraine may also target additional oil refineries and logistics hubs, as seen in previous campaigns. International reactions, including potential sanctions or diplomatic responses, may follow as the strikes continue to target Russian military and energy assets.