Drones reportedly struck a factory in Russia’s Lipetsk Oblast, according to the region’s governor. The attack, which occurred overnight, caused a fire and led to the evacuation of nearby employees. The factory, known as Energia, had been previously targeted in multiple instances this past May.
The Energia plant in Yelets produces parts for ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as batteries for drones and glide bombs. The factory was previously targeted multiple times this past May. The city of Yelets lies some 250 kilometers (150 miles) north of the Russia-Ukraine border.
Artamonov also claimed that drones caused damage to other areas in the region. Wreckage from an intercepted drone allegedly crashed onto a residential building, killing a woman and injuring two other people. Explosions were also reported overnight in the Russian-occupied city of Khartsyzk in Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast, with Russian Telegram channels citing eyewitnesses who claim a missile may have struck a Russian ammunition depot.
Several rounds of secondary detonations followed the initial blast, according to the reports. The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that its air defenses shot down a total of 69 Ukrainian drones overnight. The ministry said 27 drones were intercepted over Belgorod Oblast, 22 over Voronezh Oblast, 10 over Lipetsk Oblast, eight over Kursk Oblast, and two over Russian-occupied Crimea.
Ukraine has not commented on the overnight strikes. Ukraine regularly strikes military targets deep within Russian territory in an effort to diminish Moscow’s fighting power.
Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Residents reported multiple explosions, according to the Russian Telegram news channel Astra. Artamonov later confirmed that a drone strike caused a fire near the facility. Employees in nearby workshops have been evacuated, Artamonov said. No casualties have been reported. The extent of damage to the plant is not immediately clear, and the Kyiv Independent could not verify these reports.
The Energia plant produces parts for ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as batteries for drones and glide bombs. The factory was previously targeted multiple times this past May. The city of Yelets lies some 250 kilometers (150 miles) north of the Russia-Ukraine border.
Artamonov also claimed that drones caused damage to other areas in the region. Wreckage from an intercepted drone allegedly crashed onto a residential building, killing a woman and injuring two other people. Explosions were also reported overnight in the Russian-occupied city of Khartsyzk in Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast, with Russian Telegram channels citing eyewitnesses who claim a missile may have struck a Russian ammunition depot.
Several rounds of secondary detonations followed the initial blast, according to the reports. The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that its air defenses shot down a total of 69 Ukrainian drones overnight. The ministry said 27 drones were intercepted over Belgorod Oblast, 22 over Voronezh Oblast, 10 over Lipetsk Oblast, eight over Kursk Oblast, and two over Russian-occupied Crimea.
Ukraine has not commented on the overnight strikes. Ukraine regularly strikes military targets deep within Russian territory in an effort to diminish Moscow’s fighting power.
Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.