Ukrainian drones strike heart of Russia's military production
On Wednesday, May 28, Ukrainian drones attacked the Kronstadt factory in Dubna, located in the northern part of the Moscow region. This facility specializes in the production of unmanned systems, including Orion drones and Banderol missiles, according to the Ukrainian portal Defense Express.
These long-range Ukrainian drones caused a fire at the Kronstadt factory in Dubna, which is situated north of Moscow. This location is known for producing Orion drones and Banderol cruise missiles. The attack occurred early in the morning on May 28.
Ukrainian drone hits Russian facility
Residents of Dubna recorded on video the moment when Ukrainian Liutyi drones precisely struck the industrial facility bearing the Kronstadt logo. Following the strike, a significant fire erupted in one of the workshops, and the external metal coating of the building was torn apart, indicating an explosion inside.
The Kronstadt factory in Dubna is a modern facility that was launched in 2022. Defense Express notes that its location was chosen to leverage nearby facilities, such as Dubna Machine-Building, acquired by Kronstadt in 2020. Also nearby is MKB Raduga, where missiles like the Kh-101, Kh-59, Kh-69, and the fast Kh-32 are produced.
Given Dubna's strategic importance, one would expect it to be well-protected by air defense systems. However, footage from the scene reveals a lack of adequate systems to counter air threats.
Banderol Missile
It's worth mentioning that the S8000 Banderol missile, assembled at the Dubna facility, is prepared for launch from Orion drones, which are also built there. In the long term, this weapon is planned to be deployed by Mi-28N helicopters.
This missile weighs about 440 lbs, with a warhead that weighs over 240 lbs, including about 110 lbs of explosive material. The fuel reserve is roughly 130 lbs. The S8000 Banderol missile is approximately 16 feet in length, and its folding wings have a wingspan of 7 feet. Its cruising speed is 323 mph. However, the guidance system for targeting this ammunition is not known.
