On Sunday, Ukraine conducted a drone attack targeting a crucial Russian explosives factory located around 750 kilometers from the border. Kyiv has been launching drone attacks deep into Russian territory in an attempt to hit energy and military sites that are believed to be supporting Moscow’s invading army. The Sverdlov explosives factory in Dzerzhinsk, near the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod, was struck by Ukraine’s drones, according to a source in the SBU security services. Russian officials confirmed the attack but said it was repelled by their air defenses and electronic warfare systems.
The United States and European Union have previously sanctioned the Sverdlov plant, which is one of Russia’s largest manufacturers of military explosives. Video footage posted on Russian social media showed a large explosion in the area and drones being targeted by air defense systems. Kyiv did not disclose the extent of the damage caused by the attack on the explosives factory, leaving doubts about its impact on production capabilities. Meanwhile, Russia claimed to have downed 110 Ukrainian drones that had been launched at its territory, marking the largest aerial assault by Ukraine in recent weeks.
In response to Ukraine’s drone attacks, Russia has also initiated a wave of strikes on Ukrainian territory, targeting residential areas. One such attack in the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih resulted in at least 17 individuals being wounded, including a first responder, as reported by the state emergency services. Another attack in the northeastern Sumy region targeted an energy facility, causing power outages for over 37,000 consumers. With winter approaching, Ukraine is preparing for a challenging season amid ongoing destruction of its energy infrastructure by Russia.
In addition to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Russian aviation authorities temporarily closed Kazan airport, situated around 1,000 kilometers from the Ukraine border, due to unspecified air safety concerns. Such closures are typically implemented in response to reports of Ukrainian drone attacks in the area. The closure comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to attend the BRICS summit in Kazan later in the week, where he will meet with the leaders of China, Brazil, and Turkey. This gathering marks the largest meeting of Moscow’s allies and partners in Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
As the conflict continues to escalate, both Ukraine and Russia are engaged in drone attacks and military strikes deep into each other’s territories. The targeting of critical infrastructure, such as energy facilities and military sites, underscores the strategic importance of these locations in supporting the ongoing conflict. The international community, including the US and EU, have imposed sanctions on key Russian entities involved in the conflict. With tensions high and winter setting in, the situation is likely to worsen, posing significant challenges for both countries and their citizens. Efforts to de-escalate the conflict and seek a peaceful resolution remain essential to prevent further humanitarian crises and devastation.
