Ukrainian drones attacked the city of Izhevsk in Russian Udmurtia for the first time. Izhevsk is famous for the production of AK automatic rifles, but the target of the UAVs was the Kupoł plant, where air defense systems and other military equipment are produced.
The attack by drones took place from Saturday to Sunday. The head of the Udmurtia republic, Aleksandr Brechalov, reported the next day that an explosion had occurred at the plant on Lenin Street. “There is no serious damage, staff have been evacuated,” the official wrote on Telegram, without specifying which plant he was referring to.
1,200 kilometers from the border
Russian Telegram channels determined that the target of the drones was the Kupoł electromechanical plant, where air defense systems and other military equipment are produced. “Russia produces Tor anti-aircraft systems, radar equipment and other components here,” wrote Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, which reports to the National Security and Defense Council, on Telegram. Ukraine.
Izhevsk is located approximately 1,200 kilometers in a straight line from the border with Ukraine.
“According to the available recordings, the attack involved, among others, a modified Ukrainian 'Flying Fox' attack drone. It is worth mentioning that the plant also repairs Russian Osa short-range air defense systems. In this place, from July 2003 to July this year About 2,500 Harpia long-range attack drones were also created,” Defense Express wrote. He added that “in Izhevsk they have many interesting objects for attacks.” In this city there are, among others, Kalashnikov concern, where the famous AK automatic rifles are produced.
On the sanctions list
In December last year, Kupoł was subject to US sanctions – recalled the independent Russian-language website The Moscow Times. He also reported that from the beginning of the armed invasion Russia to Ukraine in February 2022, this is the first time a Ukrainian drone reached Udmurtia. “Earlier, the authorities of Izhevsk turned three shopping malls into halls where drones are produced. City residents protested against the construction of military facilities among the skyscrapers,” wrote The Moscow Times.
The Moscow Times, NV, Defense Express
Main photo source: ALEXEY MALGAVKO/Reuters/Forum