Professor Gerdes Explains

Relentless Pressure on Russia

September 21, 2026·17 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

I examine Ukraine’s reported long-range strikes on Ufa in Bashkortostan, roughly 1,600 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, and why the Rosneft refining cluster matters. With combined crude-processing capacity exceeding 23 million tons annually, Ufa produces motor fuels, diesel, jet fuel, and other petroleum products. I also track reported strikes on bridges near Polohy, a Kasta 2E2 low-altitude radar station, and a UAV command post—targets tied directly to Russian logistics, air defense, and force movement. I then assess the political dimension of the reported mass drone attack during Russia’s elections. Moscow’s airports reportedly closed, hundreds of flights were canceled, mobile networks were disrupted, and claims emerged that air-raid warnings were suppressed. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed 1,951 Ukrainian drones and eight missiles; I explain why that figure warrants caution. Meanwhile, Russian strikes damaged civilian sites in Zaporizhzhia and hit locations across Ukraine. The contest is not only over infrastructure, but over Putin’s promise that the war can remain distant from Russian society. 00:00 Overnight Strikes and the Ufa Refinery 02:01 Polohy Bridges, Kasta Radar, and UAV Command Post 03:41 Ukraine’s Long-Range Campaign Objectives 05:45 Russia’s Extraordinary Drone Claims 07:14 Election-Day Disruptions and Suppressed Warnings 09:06 Anti-Drone Defenses Around Oil Facilities 13:30 Battlefield Pressure and Key Fronts 15:13 Mobilization Fears and Russia’s War Economy #UkraineWar #RussiaUkraineWar #UfaRefinery #MoscowAirDefense #RussianOil #Zaporizhzhia Facts over noise. Context over headlines. Truth over talking points. Principle over partisanship. Fundraisers video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMTs6amkGUg and Here is the direct link to the Ukraine Support Bridge: https://ukrainesupportbridge.com/ - Ukrainian Refugee M's Room and Board is covered for this year. It is not for the rest of her time at CSU. I will be pushing on the other fundraisers for now, but if you still wish to give to make that whole (Aprox 48K total), here is the direct link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-ms-journey-at-charleston-southern-university?attribution_id=sl:2708fb35-6c96-49b9-a5f9-6b7567483de6&lang=en_US&ts=1786462653&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp30-treatment-3&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link ***** To support me as as I provide Ukraine war context: ***** Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ProfessorGerdesExplains Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/professorgerdes Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/professorgerdes YouTube Channel Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@Professor-Gerdes/membership 🇺🇸 Contact the White House to express your support for Ukraine https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ *****IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE DIRECT AID TO UKRAINE: ***** 🇺🇸 Alternatively, you may choose to donate to Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/ukraine-response/?utm_source=FY22UkraineResponseVanityURL&utm_medium=direct&utm_campaign=m_YUKR-22L3&utm_content=Ukraine-Response-Redirect%20%20 🇺🇦 If you wish to support the Ukrainian Army, give directly to United 24. Follow this link: https://u24.gov.ua/ ***BUY SOMETHING TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE *** 🇺🇦 If you purchase from Saint Javelin with my link below, a cut of the proceeds will go directly to humanitarian aid for soldiers (bandages, tourniquets, etc.). I don't get the revenue. It goes to buy medical supplies from UnitewithUkraine.com. Use this link: https://www.sai

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