Defense Forces struck Russian strike UAV base in Oryol region, - General Staff
In the area of Tsimbulova (Oryol Oblast), the Defense Forces struck a facility used by the Russian Federation for the storage, preparation, and launch of attack UAVs. At least five launchers were damaged.
According to Censor.NET, this information was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
"On September 21, 2026, units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck a facility used for the storage, preparation, and launch of enemy attack UAVs near the settlement of Tsimbulova in the Oryol Region of the Russian Federation," the statement reads.
What was hit?
At least three storage facilities for UAVs were hit, resulting in fires; a launch pad for jet-powered UAVs and five launchers were damaged.
"The Ukrainian Defense Forces are systematically and prioritizedly targeting storage, preparation, and launch sites for attack UAVs in order to reduce the Russian aggressor’s ability to strike civilian targets on Ukrainian territory," the General Staff emphasized.
Tsimbulova in Russia: what is known about the "Geran" launch complex
Tsimbulova (Tsimbulovo) in the Oryol Region of Russia is a large Russian complex for the storage, preparation, and launch of strike UAVs targeting Ukraine. According to publicly available satellite data, the facility underwent active expansion in 2026.
- the complex is located approximately 175–180 km from the Ukrainian border;
- construction began in 2024, and according to investigators, the first launches may have taken place in the fall of that same year. In 2026, the complex was significantly expanded;
- according to satellite imagery, the complex covers an area of approximately 2×4 km; it contains numerous storage facilities, auxiliary structures, and launch pads.
As of mid-2026, researchers had identified at least 12 active positions, while other sources reported as many as 16 launchers. The site houses UAVs from the "Geran" family, specifically the jet-powered "Geran-3/4/5" variants.
According to researchers’ estimates, hundreds of drones can be stored at the facility at any given time.
