5 September, 2025 

Ukrainian drones are now able to effectively bypass Russia’s air defense systems, allowing strikes on strategic targets, including Russian oil refineries.

Aviation expert and senior researcher at Ukraine State Aviation Museum, Valeriy Romanenko, shared the information on Espreso TV.

“Our drones now know how to bypass Russia’s air defense system. For example, the system expects a target from the west, but a drone can approach from the east. There, the Pantsir (air defense system – ed.), with its limited range, might not reach it. Oil refineries cover a large area, and the drone approaches at an altitude of 50 meters,” Romanenko explained.

According to the aviation expert, if a Pantsir system is positioned on the western side of an oil refinery, it will not detect a drone approaching from the east and therefore will not react. Installing two such systems at each refinery is practically impossible. At least three dozen Russian refineries are within strike range, including large and medium facilities, not counting local refineries.

“That’s why I emphasize again: there is no 100 percent air defense. Yes, it’s possible to lose 5–6 drones approaching a refinery, but for an effective strike, just one is enough,” Romanenko added.

• On the night of September 5, Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces struck an oil refinery in the Russian city of Ryazan.
• A massive fire broke out in Luhansk overnight after a strike on an oil depot and ammunition warehouse. According to preliminary reports, explosions lasted for several hours, and the flames were visible from different parts of the city.

https://global.espreso.tv/ukrainian-drones-can-now-bypass-russian-air-defenses-aviation-expert