Drone Attack
Ukraine announced on Sunday that it had successfully targeted a significant Russian explosives factory in a drone attack conducted overnight. This facility is located approximately 750 kilometers (470 miles) from the Ukrainian border and is known for its importance in the production of military explosives.
The strike is part of Ukraine’s ongoing strategy to conduct drone operations deep within Russian territory, focusing on key energy and military infrastructure that it claims supports Moscow’s ongoing invasion.
According to a source within the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the drones hit the Sverdlov explosives factory located in Dzerzhinsk, near the city of Nizhny Novgorod.
This plant is one of the largest manufacturers of military explosives in Russia and has been sanctioned by both the United States and the European Union due to its role in the military supply chain.
Russian officials confirmed that drones were indeed targeting the Dzerzhinsk area; however, they asserted that the attack had been thwarted.
Nizhny Novgorod’s regional Governor, Gleb Nikitin, stated on Telegram that “air defenses and electronic warfare means repelled a drone attack on the territory of the Dzerzhinsk industrial zone.”
He also reported that four employees at a fire station within the industrial complex sustained light shrapnel injuries as a result of the attack.
Videos shared on Russian social media platforms displayed significant explosions in the area, along with footage of small drones being intercepted by air defense systems.
However, as of now, there has been no confirmation from Kyiv regarding the extent of damage, if any, inflicted on the plant’s production capabilities.
In a related development, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that it had successfully intercepted 110 Ukrainian drones targeting its territory overnight, marking the largest aerial assault attempt by Ukraine in two weeks.
This escalation comes in the context of a broader wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine, which have reportedly targeted residential neighborhoods.
At least 17 individuals, including a first responder, were reported injured in an attack on the city of Kryvyi Rih, according to the state emergency services.
Additionally, Russian forces targeted an energy facility in the northeastern Sumy region, leading to power outages affecting over 37,000 consumers.
As Ukraine braces for what is expected to be the harshest winter of the war, the destruction of its energy infrastructure poses significant challenges. With temperatures nearing freezing, continued strikes on energy sites exacerbate the situation for civilians.
Separately, Russian aviation authorities announced the temporary closure of Kazan airport, located about 1,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, citing air safety concerns. Such flight restrictions are typically enacted in response to potential threats from Ukrainian drone attacks.
Amid these developments, Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet with the leaders of China, Brazil, and Turkey later this week for the BRICS summit, marking a significant gathering of Moscow’s allies since the onset of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
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