Ukraine Strikes Key Russian Military Factory, Zelensky Says
Ukraine Strikes Key Russian Military Factory, Zelensky Says
Ukrainian forces have struck one of Russia’s “most important military factories,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, in an attack targeting a facility that produces electronic components for Russian missile systems used in the war against Ukraine According to Ukrainian officials, the strike hit the Kremniy El microelectronics plant located in Russia’s Bryansk region near the Ukrainian border. The factory is believed to be a key part of Russia’s military industry, producing microchips and other electronic components used in missile systems.
In a statement, President Zelensky said the plant manufactured parts for missiles that have been used in attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure. Ukraine’s military said the operation was carried out using Storm Shadow cruise missiles, supplied by Western allies. Officials reported that the strike caused significant damage to the factory’s production facilities, although the full extent of the destruction is still being assessed.
Russian authorities confirmed that missiles struck the Bryansk region but did not initially acknowledge that the factory itself had been targeted. Regional governor Alexander Bogomaz said the attack killed at least six civilians and injured dozens of others. The Kremlin strongly condemned the strike, accusing Ukraine of targeting civilians and alleging that Western specialists were involved in launching the missiles. Russian officials warned that the alleged involvement of foreign partners would be taken into account in future responses. Military analysts say the Kremniy El plant plays a critical role in Russia’s defense industry. The factory produces semiconductor devices and integrated circuits that act as the “brains” of modern weapons systems, including advanced missiles such as the Iskander-M ballistic missile.
These electronic components are essential for guiding missiles and controlling their navigation systems. The strike comes amid the continuing war between Russia and Ukraine, which began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, both countries have targeted military infrastructure and industrial facilities as part of their war strategies. Ukraine has increasingly attempted to disrupt Russia’s military supply chain by attacking factories, logistics hubs, and weapons production sites believed to support Moscow’s war effort
