Satellite imagery released on 18 September by US firm Vantor has revealed a large Russian drone-launch facility, codenamed "Tsymbulova", hidden in farmland in the Orel Oblast (a region of southwestern Russia bordering Ukraine), spanning roughly four kilometres and housing at least 23 launch ramps — with four more under construction. The base, which emerged in 2024 and has expanded continuously since, is equipped with newer jet-powered Geran-3 and Geran-5 loitering munitions capable of flying at around 480 km/h with a reported range of up to 1,000 km, well within reach of Kyiv. The upgraded drones, faster than earlier propeller-driven models, are proving significantly harder for Ukrainian air-defence systems to intercept, raising concern about Russia's ability to sustain and intensify mass drone strikes on the Ukrainian capital.