Latest news with #KupolPlant
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Ukraine fights back against Russia with deadly drone strike
A Ukrainian drone strike on an industrial plant in Izhevsk, Russia, killed three people and injured 35 others. The targeted facility, identified as the Kupol plant, manufactures drones and air defense systems, and sustained direct hits, causing a fire. The audacious attack, occurring deep within Russian territory, underscores Ukraine 's focus on developing long-range weaponry and increasing domestic drone productio n. Both sides in the conflict are increasingly relying on sophisticated drone technology, with Russia having launched a record number of drones at Ukraine recently. The incident highlights the escalating drone warfare and occurs amid ongoing uncertainty regarding future US military aid to Ukraine.
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Ukrainian drone attack on factory deep inside Russia kills three, wounds 35
A Ukrainian drone attack at an industrial plant in central Russia has killed three people and injured 35 others, a Russian regional governor has said. Alexander Brechalov, head of the Udmurt Republic, said in a post on Telegram on Tuesday that the attack took place at a factory in Izhevsk city. Ten of the wounded were in a serious condition, he noted. There was no immediate official comment from Kyiv. But a Ukrainian security official confirmed the attack, telling the news agency Reuters that the Kupol plant had been hit, with a fire breaking out as a result. The facility, which produces air defence systems and drones for the Russian army, is located roughly 1,300km (800 miles) from the Ukrainian border. If confirmed, the Ukrainian mission would be one of the deepest attacks of its kind inside Russia since the start of Russian President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion. However, it is not as far as one Kyiv claimed last May, which reportedly hit an early-warning radar in the Russian city of Orsk, some 1,800km (1,120 miles) from Ukraine. Speaking to the AFP news agency on Tuesday, an unnamed Ukrainian security service (SBU) official hailed the most recent drone mission. 'Each such special operation reduces the enemy's offensive potential, disrupts military production chains and demonstrates that even deep in Russia's rear, there are no safe zones for its military infrastructure,' they said in written comments. The attack came a day after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine would increase its drone production, following a surge in Russian drone attacks. Moscow fired some 5,438 long-range drones at Ukraine in June, its highest monthly total yet, according to an analysis by AFP. 'The priority is drones, interceptor drones and long-range strike drones,' Zelenskyy said on Telegram late on Monday about Ukraine's manufacturing drive. The message followed a promise last month by Ukraine's top military commander to improve the 'scale and depth' of strikes on Russia. In other developments, the Kremlin has denied the suggestion from one of United States President Donald Trump's special envoys that it was deliberately stalling ceasefire talks. Keith Kellogg, Trump's Ukraine envoy, said on Monday, 'Russia cannot continue to stall for time while it bombs civilian targets in Ukraine.' In response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed that Russia was 'not interested in drawing out anything'. A date for a third round of negotiations has yet to be agreed. Meanwhile, a Russian-backed official in the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk said it is now fully under the control of Moscow. Ukraine is yet to respond to the claim.
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Ukraine drone attack on central Russia kills three, wounds 35
A Ukrainian drone attack at an industrial plant in central Russia has killed three people and injured 35 others, a Russian regional governor has said. Alexander Brechalov, head of the Udmurt Republic, said in a post on Telegram on Tuesday that the attack took place at a factory in Izhevsk city. Ten of the wounded were in a serious condition, he noted. There was no immediate official comment from Kyiv. But a Ukrainian security official confirmed the attack, telling the news agency Reuters that the Kupol plant had been hit, with a fire breaking out as a result. The facility, which produces air defence systems and drones for the Russian army, is located roughly 1,300km (800 miles) from the Ukrainian border. If confirmed, the Ukrainian mission would be one of the deepest attacks of its kind inside Russia since the start of Russian President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion. However, it is not as far as one Kyiv claimed last May, which reportedly hit an early-warning radar in the Russian city of Orsk, some 1,800km (1,120 miles) from Ukraine. Speaking to the AFP news agency on Tuesday, an unnamed Ukrainian security service (SBU) official hailed the most recent drone mission. 'Each such special operation reduces the enemy's offensive potential, disrupts military production chains and demonstrates that even deep in Russia's rear, there are no safe zones for its military infrastructure,' they said in written comments. The attack came a day after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine would increase its drone production, following a surge in Russian drone attacks. Moscow fired some 5,438 long-range drones at Ukraine in June, its highest monthly total yet, according to an analysis by AFP. 'The priority is drones, interceptor drones and long-range strike drones,' Zelenskyy said on Telegram late on Monday about Ukraine's manufacturing drive. The message followed a promise last month by Ukraine's top military commander to improve the 'scale and depth' of strikes on Russia. In other developments, the Kremlin has denied the suggestion from one of United States President Donald Trump's special envoys that it was deliberately stalling ceasefire talks. Keith Kellogg, Trump's Ukraine envoy, said on Monday, 'Russia cannot continue to stall for time while it bombs civilian targets in Ukraine.' In response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed that Russia was 'not interested in drawing out anything'. A date for a third round of negotiations has yet to be agreed. Meanwhile, a Russian-backed official in the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk said it is now fully under the control of Moscow. Ukraine is yet to respond to the claim.
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Three dead in Ukrainian drone strike on Russian industrial plant
Three people have been killed and dozens have been injured in a Ukrainian drone strike on a Russian industrial plant, a local official confirmed on Tuesday. Regional governor Alexander Brechalov did not name the targeted facility in Izhevsk, but a Ukrainian security official earlier told Reuters that at least two long-range drones operated by the Security Service of Ukraine struck the Kupol plant, which manufactures drones and air defenсe systems, and caused a fire. At least two direct hits were recorded on the plant's buildings, the Ukrainian official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly. The industrial plant in Izhevsk, about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) east of Moscow, has started a fire and led to the plant's workers evacuation, Mr Brechalov added. He confirmed three people have been killed and left 35 others injured. A column of black smoke could be seen billowing into the sky from the site of a fire at a cluster of buildings in videos shared by the Ukrainian official who said the plant's production facilities and warehouses had been hit. Brechalov said he had informed Russian President Vladimir Putin about the incident. The audacious attack within Russian territory, some 1,300 kilometres (800 miles) from the Ukrainian border, comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has prioritised the development of such long-range weaponry, reflecting a broader escalation in drone warfare. Both sides in the conflict, now in its third year since Russia 's full-scale invasion in February 2022, have increasingly relied on sophisticated drone technology, transforming the battlefield into a testing ground for advanced unmanned aerial vehicles. This escalation is underscored by Russia's own intensified drone campaign, which saw a record 5,438 drones launched at Ukraine last month, according to official data collated by The Associated Press. While Ukraine faces significant pressure from Russian advances along the roughly 1,000-kilometre (620-mile) front line, analysts suggest its defences are largely holding firm. With recent US-led peace talks failing to yield progress, both Moscow and Kyiv continue to bolster their arsenals, indicating a prolonged conflict where technological superiority, particularly in drone capabilities, is becoming increasingly crucial. Ukraine is stepping up drone production Ukraine has for months been using domestically produced long-range drones to strike plants, storage sites and logistical hubs deep inside Russian territory. Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the counter-disinformation branch of Ukraine's Security Council, indicated on the Telegram messaging app that Tuesday's target was a local plant producing Russian drones and air defense systems. Zelenskyy said Ukraine's domestic production of drones is about to increase in response to Russia's expanded barrages. 'The priority is drones, interceptor drones and long-range strike drones,' he said on Telegram late Monday. 'This is extremely important,' he added. 'Russia is investing in its unmanned capabilities, Russia is planning to increase the number of drones used in strikes against our state. We are preparing our countermeasures.' Russia's Defense Ministry said that 60 Ukrainian drones were downed overnight over several regions, including 17 over Crimea, 16 over the Rostov region and four over the Saratov region. At the same time, four Russian Shahed drones struck the southern Ukraine city of Zaporizhzia during the night, leaving more than 1,600 households without power, according to authorities. Ukraine's air force said Tuesday that Russia fired 52 Shahed and decoy drones at the country overnight. US envoy criticises Russian attacks US President Donald Trump 's special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, rebuked Russia for continuing to strike civilian areas of Ukraine while effectively rejecting a ceasefire and dragging its feet on a peace settlement. 'We urge an immediate ceasefire and a move to trilateral talks to end the war,' Kellogg said on the social platform X late Monday. 'Russia cannot continue to stall for time while it bombs civilian targets in Ukraine.' Ukraine is developing its own defense industry as uncertainty remains over whether the Trump administration will continue to provide crucial military aid. Between March and April, the United States allocated no new aid to Ukraine, according to Germany 's Kiel Institute, which tracks such support. Europe's support and for the first time since June 2022 surpassed the US in total military aid, totaling 72 billion euros ($85 billion) compared with 65 billion euros ($77 billion) from the US, the institute said last month.
The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Dramatic moment Russians run for their lives from fireballs as Ukrainian kamikaze drone wave blitzes Putin's ‘gun city'
THIS is the dramatic moment Russians sprinted in terror as Ukrainian kamikaze drones blitzed one of Vladimir Putin's weapons strongholds. Explosive footage showed the Lyutyi drones striking the Kupol Electromechanical Plant in Izhevsk, sparking a deafening blast and towering flames. 8 8 8 8 The plant was known to be one of the crown jewels in Russia's military-industrial complex before it was engulfed by a fireball. Residents can be seen fleeing for their lives, their shouts echoing through the city, as gunfire rang out in a futile attempt to repel the incoming strike. In a flash, the skyline of Russia's so-called 'City of Gunsmiths' was blackened by choking smoke as fire engulfed the key arms facility. The plant, located more than 750 miles from the Ukrainian border, produces the deadly Tor-M2E surface-to-air missile systems and Harpiya-A1 attack drones - critical weapons in Putin's arsenal. Two Lyutyi drones smashed into the facility in a five-minute window with devastating accuracy. Incredibly, there was no air raid warning — a factor officials say contributed to the high number of casualties. Russian officials said three people were killed and at least 31 others injured in the attack. 'There are explosions in Izhevsk, Russia,' said Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Centre for Counteracting Disinformation. 'The Kupol Electromechanical Plant is located there. It is one of the main producers of the Tor missile systems and Harpiya-A1 attack drones for the Russian army.' Ukraine blasts Putin's troops with 'UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles' in MASSIVE overnight attack The head of Udmurtia, Igor Brechalov, confirmed the strike had left victims and chaos in its wake. 'All the emergency services are working. Medical services, psychologists. There are casualties. The firemen are putting out the fires,' he said. The strike targeted not just Kupol — located in the heart of Izhevsk, also home to the iconic Kalashnikov arms conglomerate — but the very symbol of Russia's war machine. The powerful drone blitz came as Ukraine unleashed a new wave of vengeance across occupied regions - including a British-made Storm Shadow missile strike that reportedly killed Russian officers "in droves". Dramatic footage from Donetsk showed the aftermath of the strike, which Ukrainian sources say devastated the headquarters of Russia's 8th Combined Arms Army, killing scores of military personnel. 'The building is penetrated to the basement. [The dead] are being taken out in batches,' reported Ukrainian channel Supernova+. If confirmed, it marks the first Storm Shadow strike in months, reigniting fears among Putin's inner circle. Journalist Ivan Yakovina said: 'Clear results of the recent NATO summit — cruise missiles supplied by the UK and France today destroyed the headquarters of the 8th Combined Arms Army in Donetsk and a massive depot with an oil terminal in Luhansk. 8 8 8 'There were massive casualties among Russian officers at the HQ. 'They were confident that Ukraine no longer had the means to strike at such depth, so they didn't even bother to go down to the shelter during the alert. Dozens killed and wounded — an entire army has been crippled.' Both Russian and Ukrainian sources confirmed the use of Britain's bunker-busting Storm Shadow missiles in the strike. The £800,000, GPS-guided missiles can travel at 600mph and evade air defences. Russian officials, red-faced, admitted only that one woman had died and three others were injured. But the real toll is believed to be far higher. Major fires were also reported in Russian-occupied Luhansk, where an oil terminal was hit, and in Rostov and near the Crimean Bridge, which was briefly closed. Elsewhere, explosions rocked Saratov and Engels, key strategic sites including Russia's strategic bomber bases, while Russia retaliated with attacks in the Zaporizhzhia region, hitting homes and businesses.
