Numerous Ukrainian strikes on Russia's frontline air defenses created a dilemma for Moscow - leave its troops exposed or pull replacement systems from Russia, exposing deep rear facilities.
The Russian military reports neutralizing a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack, with air defenses active in regions across a 1,034.4 kilometer stretch from Bryansk to Rostov.
On 1 October, several explosive drones hit an aircraft factory in the western-Russian city of Smolensk. A Ukrainian spy agency confirms the strike and says it has disrupted the production of Kh-59 cruise missiles.