Russia says 902 Ukrainian drones shot down overnight

Kiev's anonymous OSINT channel, Absolutely Reliable Source, reported on October 13 that Russia has nearly completed the first section of a new launch site for jet-powered Geran-5 attack drones near Millerovo in Rostov Oblast. The channel's bio identifies it as covering Ukraine's deep strikes, and its author belongs to an unnamed larger structure.

The site is intended for the type of drone Ukraine is less successful in intercepting, such as the Geran-5, which makes up 55% of those intercepts, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russia produces about 3,000 Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones monthly, according to Ukrainian military intelligence. The channel claims the site was built in just a month, citing satellite images from September and October 2026.

These images show eight prepared launcher positions and 32 drone preparation spots. The construction resembles Russia's Tsymbulova base in Oryol Oblast, where Russia began constructing additional launchers less than a month after starting the expansion. Ukrainian drones have previously struck Tsymbulova, causing damage to bunkers and hangars.

Militarnyi, a Ukrainian outlet, reported strikes on the base's bunkers and hangars in September and another strike on October 1, damaging two ground shelters and drone preparation areas. On October 10, another OSINT channel, Exilenova+, reported a drone strike hitting multiple bunkers, a jet-drone launcher, and a drone storage area at Tsymbulova.