The FSB and the Russian National Guard conducted exercises in preparation for the defense of the Leningrad Region
In the Leningrad Region of the Russian Federation, which borders Finland and Estonia, security forces conducted the “Commonwealth-2026” exercise, during which they practiced countering a simulated sabotage and reconnaissance group that had allegedly infiltrated the state border. Units of the Russian National Guard and officers from the FSB Border Guard Service participated in the exercises.
According to the exercise scenario, a simulated sabotage and reconnaissance group was supposed to infiltrate the region. Russian security forces practiced searching for, pursuing, and detaining the group, as well as blocking off areas and potential routes of movement.
Footage released by the Russian National Guard, in particular, shows an assault on a bus: security forces smash a window, enter the vehicle, and lead the detainees out while threatening them with weapons. During the exercises, they also fired mortars at targets simulating the positions of a hypothetical enemy.
The Russian FSB stated that representatives of border guard and other agencies from CIS countries also participated in the exercises. According to the official narrative, the security forces were preparing for action in the event of an escalation of the military-political situation in border regions and a possible armed invasion.
On the night of August 26, 2026, units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck facilities at the “Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez” LLC oil refinery in the city of Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia.
Ukrainian strikes since July have disabled seven of Wildberries’ ten largest logistics centers in Russia, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. In particular, following the attack on August 16, the company’s large facilities in Domodedovo and the “Koledino” industrial park ceased operations; the latter covered an area of approximately 250,000 square meters.
On the night of August 26, drones again attacked the Wildberries logistics center in Kotovsk, Tambov Oblast, Russia, after which a massive fire broke out at the facility. According to Russian authorities, the fire covered at least 40,000 square meters, and one employee was injured.
Ukrainian drones simultaneously attacked a Lukoil oil refinery and a Wildberries warehouse in Russia.
As a reminder, the Orsk Oil Refinery in the Orenburg region of the Russian Federation completely halted operations following an attack by Ukrainian drones.
