The Ukrainian General Staff on February 21 said that its forces had launched a missile attack targeting a Russian ballistic missile factory in the Udmurtia region, about 1,400km east of Kiev and located in eastern Moscow.
According to a statement posted on Telegram, the target is a facility in the city of Votkinsk, where Russian missiles are produced, including short-range Iskander and intercontinental Topol-M. The Ukrainian military said it used Flamingo cruise missiles launched from the ground domestically, causing a fire to break out in the factory area.
Previously, Mr. Alexander Brechalov, Governor of the Udmurtia region of Russia, confirmed that a location in the area was attacked overnight by drones. He said there were damage and injuries, but did not elaborate.
Russian civil aviation agency Rosaviatsiya announced that the airport in Izhevsk, the main city of Udmurtia, and airports in neighboring areas have temporarily stopped operating. Telegram channel SHOT quoted people in Votkinsk as saying they heard at least three explosions and the sound of drones.
Russia uses ballistic missiles to support drone attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing power outages and heating shortages for millions of people in the cold winter months.
In the context of the conflict entering its 5th year, Ukraine is increasing attacks targeting deep-lying military and energy infrastructure in Russian territory. Kiev believes that attacking weapons production facilities and energy systems serving the Russian army is an effective way to gain an advantage over a larger-scale opponent.
The Ukrainian General Staff also said it attacked a gas processing plant in Russia's Samara region. Russian officials in Samara have not made any announcements about this incident.
