Ukrainian drone strike targets Russian missile component factories in four major regions
9:21 AM EST, December 30, 2023
The war between Russia and Ukraine continues, with attacks being directed not only at Ukraine but also at Russia. Ukrainian forces executed a substantial attack on Russian territory on the night of December 29 to December 30, 2023, to cripple the enemy's access to strategic weaponry.
Massive Drone Attack
In a press statement, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that Russian air defenses managed to destroy or intercept all 32 Ukrainian drones. This attack unfolded over the Bryansk, Oryol, Kursk, and Moscow regions. The Russian defense department also underscored the effectiveness of their defensive actions against aerial threats.
Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the Belgorod region, was quoted by the Ukrainian portal Suspilne, stating that air defenses "shot down several aerial targets" approaching Belgorod city on the night from Friday to Saturday. According to initial data, the situation was tragic - with one casualty and four injured.
Iskander missile factory targeted
As reported by the Ukrainian TV station Espresso, which cited Russian channels on Telegram, one of the targets in Bryansk was the Kriemnij EL factories responsible for producing components for Iskander missiles and Pantsir anti-aircraft kits. This factory is among Russia's largest microelectronic components factories, underscoring the significance and scope of the attack.
Since the Ukraine conflict's inception, the Iskander system has been in use, with a recent surge in the deployment of this type of launcher at the border. The Russian forces mainly employ Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile launchers, Iskander-K versions fitted with Kalibr-NK maneuvering missiles, and Iskander-E variants for export.
These Russian missiles can be fitted with a variety of warheads, including fragmentary-explosive, cassette, thermobaric, or even nuclear types. The range of these weapons is approximately 311 miles. Medium-range systems like the Patriot, S-300, or SAMP/T systems are required to defend against such threats.
