A Ukrainian drone strike has reportedly disabled key operations at Russia’s Kupol military plant located in the Udmurt Republic. According to independent media outlet Astra, the plant ceased operations following an attack that caused extensive damage to its facilities. The Kupol plant is responsible for producing Tor and Osa air defense systems, as well as Harpy-type attack drones. Due to its strategic importance, the facility is under international sanctions as part of Russia’s defense-industrial complex.
The strike resulted in two drones hitting their intended targets, with one flying through the windows of one workshop and the second hitting the roof of another, causing an explosion and fire. The resulting blaze led to the collapse of 1,300 square meters of roofing, according to Astra. Four workshops were destroyed in the first building of the complex, halting operations in areas responsible for metalworking, microchip soldering, and drone production.
Udmurt Republic Governor Alexander Brechalov reported that three people were killed and 45 injured in the attack, with 35 hospitalized and six in serious condition. The absence of an air raid siren prior to the attack raised questions about the effectiveness of Russia’s emergency alert systems. Residents claimed to be unable to receive emergency alerts due to persistent mobile internet outages, which may have contributed to the lack of early warning.
Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed the strike via its official Telegram channel, framing it as part of Kyiv’s campaign to degrade Russia’s defense-industrial base far from the front. The plant was previously targeted in a Ukrainian drone strike on November 17, 2024, which damaged equipment used to produce Tor missile systems and radar components. The latest attack underscores Ukraine’s increasing capacity to strike deep within Russian territory, a development that could have significant implications for Russia’s military capabilities.
Izhevsk, the capital of the Udmurt Republic, is known as a center of Russia’s arms manufacturing industry and the birthplace of the Kalashnikov rifle. The continued targeting of such critical facilities by Ukrainian forces suggests a strategic effort to undermine Russia’s military production capabilities. The situation has sparked discussions about the effectiveness of Russia’s defenses and the broader implications of the war on Russia’s infrastructure and industrial base.