Russia
Nuclear-armed state waging full-scale war on Ukraine; permanent UN Security Council member with energy leverage.
Across 20–22 October, Lowdown calculated from Ukraine Air Force counts that jet-powered Shahed drones made up 47% to 64% of Russia's nightly launches. Moscow is adapting its long-range campaign while the ground war continues.
Last refreshed: 22 October 2026 · Appears in 14 active topics
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Timeline for Russia
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Russia-Ukraine War 2026Shifted its drone salvoes towards jet-powered Shaheds
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Drones: Industry & Defence: Russia rings Alabuga with air defencesBackground
Russia is a federal, nuclear-armed state with its capital in Moscow. Its war against Ukraine combines ground operations with long-range drone and missile attacks. Vladimir Putin is its president, the Bank of Russia is its central bank and the rouble is its currency. It is one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and can veto binding Council action.
Russia's state power rests on large armed forces, nuclear weapons, a centralised security system and control over extensive territory and resources.
Energy exports are central to the federal budget and to Russia's external influence. Oil and gas reach Europe and Asia through pipelines, ports and seaborne trade. Their volume and price affect how much revenue the state can direct to defence and domestic spending.
Russia accelerates its drone campaign
On 15 October 2026, Russia launched more than 850 drones at 15 Ukrainian regions. Ukraine's Air Force said it stopped 536, while three people died in Kropyvnytskyi. The barrage kept pressure on dispersed targets rather than a single section of the front.
By 22 October, jet-powered Shaheds made up 47% to 64% of Russia's nightly launches on 20 to 22 October, far above their share earlier that week. Russia sent fewer drones but hit more places. For Moscow, the faster aircraft shorten defenders' warning time and change the mix of a long-range campaign that remains central to its war.
War spending narrows Russia's choices
On 30 September 2026, Russia forecast 7.584tn roubles of oil and gas revenue for 2026, 1.335tn below plan. Its January to September deficit reached 5.19tn roubles, yet the draft 2027 budget still assigned defence a record 17.1tn roubles.
On 18 October, Russia's seaborne crude exports fell to 3.13m barrels a day, their lowest since March. Primorsk loaded nothing for about three days, though technical work may have caused the pause. For Moscow, lower oil flows tighten the link between export income and the military budget. Russia's restricted fuel statistics also make ship tracking and outside estimates central to judging that constraint.
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Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.