Zelensky approves expanded long-range operations amid ongoing Russian strikes

What happened

The Kyiv Independent reports that President Volodymyr Zelensky approved new long-range military operations on September 19 in response to recent Russian strikes, following briefings by Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara and Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi. Zelensky emphasized plans to expand Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities, though specifics of the new operations were not disclosed.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. Ukraine continues to intensify its deep-strike campaign targeting Russian oil facilities, military infrastructure, logistics hubs, and weapons production sites. Zelensky previously stated in July that Ukraine’s updated priority target list enables strikes up to 3,000 kilometers inside Russia. This reflects Kyiv’s increasing reach deeper into Russian territory as retaliation for attacks within Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Russia has sustained a campaign throughout spring and summer 2026 using jet-powered drones and ballistic missiles against Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure, preparing for a harsh winter. Zelensky highlighted progress in Ukraine’s counter-drone capabilities, noting the successful combat use of newly developed interceptors against Shahed-type drones, including the jet-powered Geran-5 model.

Known from the source

• President Zelensky approved new long-range operations on September 19 after military briefings.
• Ukraine is expanding its deep-strike capability targeting Russian oil, military, logistics, and weapons sites.
• Ukraine can reportedly strike more than 3,000 kilometers into Russia according to Zelensky’s July statement.
• Ukraine has developed and tested interceptors effective against jet-powered Shahed-type drones.
• Raybird systems by the Ukrainian drone manufacturer Skyeton have logged over 350,000 combat hours since the invasion began.

What remains unclear

The Kyiv Independent notes that Ukrainian drone manufacturer Skyeton reported its Raybird systems have logged over 350,000 combat hours since Russia’s full-scale invasion. Concurrently, Russian drone strikes and hybrid attacks increasingly target NATO cohesion and public morale, a phenomenon described as Russia’s 'human safari'—training drone operators on civilian targets prior to front-line deployment.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Details and scale of the newly approved long-range operations announced by Zelensky. Verification of the effectiveness and combat success of Ukraine’s new drone interceptors reported on September 19. Validation of the casualty figures and strike attributions provided by Ukrainian sources, particularly the air force drone downing and Russian casualties claim.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Kyiv Independent. Open the source.