Key facts
- Russia withdrew its elite Rubicon drone unit from northern Donetsk Oblast after heavy losses during Ukraine's Operation Vivaldi.
- Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps claimed to have disabled Rubicon's command system, logistics, and drone launch sites.
- Russia is increasingly using repurposed S-400 training missiles to strike Ukrainian cities.
- Polling stations in Sochi were closed on Sept. 18 due to a threat of a Ukrainian drone attack during State Duma elections.
- Ukraine's National Guard created a recruitment center for foreign volunteers.
- Major General Viktor Nikoliuk stepped down as commander of Ukraine's Eastern Operational Command on Sept. 17.
Russia has withdrawn its elite Rubicon drone unit from the front lines in northern Donetsk Oblast following significant losses sustained during Ukraine's Operation Vivaldi, according to Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps. The unit stated that it disabled Rubicon's command system, destroyed its logistics and ammunition depots, drone launch sites, and eliminated experienced personnel.
Oleksandr Borodin, spokesperson for the 3rd Corps, told the Kyiv Independent that most specialized drone units in the area suffered substantial losses in personnel and equipment, leading to the withdrawal of the 'notorious Rubicon' due to its declining combat potential.
Meanwhile, Russia is increasingly employing repurposed S-400 training missiles to strike Ukrainian cities, a practice that has escalated from 14 missiles in May to 87 in July, according to military analysts cited by Reuters. These missiles, while less accurate than purpose-built ballistic missiles, help Russia conserve its more advanced Iskander, KN-23, and Zircon missiles for potential winter campaigns. Ukraine's defense against such ballistic missiles relies on the U.S.-supplied PAC-3 Patriot system, which faces supply constraints.
In a separate development, polling stations in Sochi were temporarily closed on September 18 due to a threat of a Ukrainian drone attack, impacting Russia's State Duma elections. The Ukrainian National Guard has also established a centralized recruitment center to streamline the enlistment of foreign volunteers, aiming to bolster its forces. Separately, Major General Viktor Nikoliuk announced his departure as commander of Ukraine's Eastern Operational Command on September 17, stating he was handing over a combat-ready force to his successor.