Victory Chronicles-DAY 1335

On the night of Oct. 19, Ukrainian forces coordinated long-range drone stikes on key Russian infrastructure inside Russia, targeting the Novokuybyshevsk oil refinery in Samara Oblast and the Orenburg gas processing plant, according to Ukraine’s General Staff. Both sites were engulfed in large fires, with visible damage captured in social media footage.

The Novokuybyshevsk refinery, located about 620 miles from the Ukrainian border, is one of Russia’s strategically significant infrastructure inside Russia, targeting the Novokuybyshevsk oil refinery in Samara Oblast and the Orenburg gas processing plant, according to Ukraine’s General Staff. Both sites were engulfed in large fires, with visible damage captured in social media footage.

The  Novokuybyshevsk refinery, located roughly 620 miles from the Ukrainian border — is one of Russia’s strategically significant energy facilities. It processes around 4.9 million tons of crude oil annually and produces more than 20 types of petroleum products, including aviation and diesel fuels that directly support Russian military logistics. Preliminary reports indicate the strikes damaged critical primary oil distillation units, potentially disrupting output for weeks.

The Orenburg gas processing plant, one of the country’s largest gas facilities, also sustained damage to at least one gas refining and purification unit. With a capacity of up to 45 billion cubic meters of natural gas and 6.2 million tons of condensate annually, 

Orengburg plays a key role in Russia’s energy exports and domestic supply network.

These attacks are part of a sustained Ukrainian strategy aimed at degrading Russia’s energy production and export infrastructure, a sector that underpins both the Kremlin’s war financing and its military fuel supply chains. Since late winter, Ukrainian forces have escalated long-range drone operations against energy hubs in Samara, Ryazan, Kaluga, and Tatarstan, signaling Kyiv’s growing ability to project force far beyond the front line.

Preliminary reports indicate the strikes damaged primary oil distillation units. The plant processes roughly 4.9 million tons of crude oil annually and produces more than 20 types of petroleum products, including fuels that supply Russian military operations.

The Orenburg gas processing plant, one of Russia’s largest energy complexes, also sustained significant damage to at least one gas refining and purification unit, according to Ukrainian military sources. 

The facility can process up to 45 billion cubic meters of natural gas and 6.2 million tons of gas condensate and oil per year, making it a vital node in Russia’s energy export network.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine preparing contract to buy live-saving 25 Patriot air defense systems. Ukraine is working to finalize a contract to purchase 25 Patriot air defense systems that would be delivered over several years, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Oct. 20 during meetings in Washington with journalists.

The request for 25 batteries came directly from Ukraine’s Air Force, which has been pleading for more sophisticated defenses as Russian missiles and drones pound cities nationwide, especially energy infrastructure ahead of winter 

But Zelenskyy acknowledged Ukraine cannot receive all the systems at once due to production backlogs at manufacturer Raytheon, which has orders from multiple countries waiting in line.

“We will receive these 25 systems annually, different quantities in different years,” Zelenskyy said. “The White House can change the queue if there is political will.” He added that some European NATO members have indicated they might yield their place in line to prioritize Ukraine’s urgent need.

Russian drone strike ignites fires in apartment building and shops in central Ukraine. Russian forces struck the southeastern region of Dnipropetrovsk overnight on Oct. 20, setting a five-story residential building ablaze and damaging shops and a cultural center in two neighborhoods, according to acting regional Gov, Vladyslav Haivanenko.

The drones struck  the Mezhivska and Pokrovska communities in the Synelnykove district, located in central Ukraine roughly 31 miles west of the front line. Flames tore through the apartment block and nearby stores, while the local House of Culture sustained damage. Firefighters extinguished the blazes, and no casualties were reported.

Ukrainian drone strike destroys sophisticated Russian thermobaric rocket launcher. On Oct. 19, drone operators from Ukraine’s 53rd Mechanized Brigade released footage showing the destruction of a Russian TOS-1A Solntsepek, a heavy flamethrower system that is capable of launching devastating thermobaric rockets. The weapon, nicknamed “Blazing Sun” in Russian, is designed to incinerate targets with extreme heat and pressure waves that can collapse human lungs and structures alike.

According to the Ground Forces, the Russian crew had just set up their firing position when Ukrainian operators spotted the launcher. The TOS-1A, mounted on a tracked chassis, tried to flee once it was detected, but a direct hit from an first-person view  drone carrying an explosive payload critically damaged the system before it could flee.

The TOS-1A is among Russia’s most feared weapons in this ongoing war. It fires unguided rockets filled with fuel-air explosives over distances up to 3.7 miles. When detonated, these warheads create a massive fireball followed by a vacuum effect, making them particularly lethal in urban combat or against fortified positions. 

Key Takeaways

• Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin reportedly reiterated his demand that Ukraine cede all of Donetsk Oblast as a condition for ending the war, and suggested that Russia would be willing to “surrender” parts of occupied southern Ukraine. Ceding Donetsk Oblast to Russia would set conditions for Russia to renew its aggression against Ukraine from more advantageous positions at a time of its choosing.
• Russian officials and pro-Kremlin sources are attempting to portray limited Russian offensive operations in the Kherson direction as an ongoing offensive to recapture Kherson City — efforts that are incompatible with Putin’s claimed readiness to make territorial concessions in southern Ukraine.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine made bilateral energy proposals to the United States.
• Ukrainian forces struck Russian oil infrastructure in Samara and Orenburg oblasts on the night of Oct, 18 to 19.
• German officials reported observing unidentified objects resembling drones over Munich Airport on Oct. 18.
• Ukrainian forces advanced near Pokrovsk and in the Dobropillya tactical area. Russian forces advanced near Lyman and Hulyaipole and in western Zaporizhia Oblast.

• Politico: EU discussing tighter control over Russia’s shadow fleet
• Swedish defense minister: Europe must switch to war mode to deter Russia
• NBC: Zelenskyy says Putin is not winning, Russian forces in weak position
• FT reports: Trump urged Zelenskyy to accept Putin’s terms, saying Russia could “destroy” Ukraine
• Polish Prime Minister: No one should pressure Zelenskyy over territory, pressure must be put on Russia
• Reuters: Trump denies pressuring Zelenskyy to agree to hand over all of Donbas to Russia