Ukraine strike report, 3 October 2026: fires at Russia’s Tsymbulova drone launch base
Several fires were detected at Russia’s Tsymbulova drone launch base in Oryol Oblast overnight on 3 October 2026. Open-source intelligence resources reported another attack on the complex used to store, prepare and launch attack drones. Separately, Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed strikes on military facilities in Russia and temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.
Tsymbulova drone launch base: satellite evidence of fires
NASA’s FIRMS satellite monitoring service detected thermal anomalies around the Russian complex near the village of Tsymbulova. Monitoring resources reported several fires on the grounds used to store, prepare and launch attack drones.
Tsymbulova forms part of Russia’s infrastructure for drone attacks against Ukraine. A strike on this complex can disrupt drone launch preparations and ground support operations.
Ukraine’s General Staff confirms strikes on military facilities
According to the General Staff, Ukrainian forces struck a site used to store, prepare and launch attack drones near Donetsk on 2 October and overnight into 3 October.
In Russia’s Belgorod Oblast, strikes targeted a command post near Novaya Tavolzhanka and a logistics supply depot near Voznesenivka. In occupied Donetsk Oblast, Ukrainian forces hit a crossing over the Mokri Yaly River near Novoocheretuvate. A repair base near Hromivka in Kherson Oblast was also struck.
Russian Pantsir-S2 air defence system destroyed
Footage released on 3 October also showed the destruction of a Russian Pantsir-S2 missile and gun air defence system by FP-2 attack drones. Monitoring resource Exilenova+ reported the strike, and Militarnyi published an article about it.
How the figures changed
The data may be revised when official statements or further assessment become available.