Ukraine has launched a significant overnight drone offensive against key Russian military-industrial targets, with the Sverdlov Plant in Dzerzhinsk, Nizhny Novgorod region, being a primary focus. The attack, involving hundreds of kamikaze drones, represents a bold move by Ukraine to disrupt Russia’s war-supporting infrastructure.
The Sverdlov Plant, one of Russia’s largest producers of industrial explosives and a manufacturer of various military components, including aviation and artillery shells, aerial bombs, and missile parts, was hit in the strike. Footage and eyewitness accounts reported a succession of loud explosions and clouds of white smoke rising from the facility. The plant has been sanctioned by major Western countries and Ukraine for its role in supplying Vladimir Putin’s war efforts.
Russian air defenses were active around the plant, with locals reporting ten or more explosions. The attack resulted in four firefighters being wounded, highlighting the intensity and effectiveness of the strike.
Beyond the Sverdlov Plant, the Ukrainian drones also targeted other key locations within Russia’s military-industrial complex. Significant explosions were recorded in both Oryol and Lipetsk cities, though specific targets in these regions were not immediately identified.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down 110 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 18 in the Oryol region and 27 in the Lipetsk region. Additionally, at least one drone targeting the Moscow region was reportedly downed. The scale of the defensive response indicates the unprecedented nature of this Ukrainian drone offensive.
This large-scale attack follows a recent strike on the Kremniy El microelectronics plant in the Bryansk region, which reportedly manufactures microchips for Russia’s Iskander ballistic missiles. The damage to these facilities could potentially impact Russia’s ability to produce and maintain its military hardware.
The drone strikes demonstrate Ukraine’s growing capabilities in long-range attacks and its strategy to target Russia’s military-industrial infrastructure. This approach aims to disrupt the supply chain supporting Russian forces in the ongoing conflict.
As the conflict escalates, with both sides intensifying their efforts, the international community watches closely. The effectiveness of these Ukrainian strikes and Russia’s ability to defend against and recover from them will likely influence the future trajectory of the war.
Meanwhile, the conflict continues to affect civilians, with reports of 17 people injured in a Russian attack on Kryvyi Rih, underscoring the ongoing human cost of the war.
Source: the-sun.com
