KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian forces targeted an industrial facility deep inside Russia on Saturday, reportedly hitting a state-owned missile factory, according to both Ukrainian sources and unofficial Russian news outlets. The attack occurred in the Udmurt Republic and left 11 individuals injured, with three requiring hospitalization, as shared by local health minister Sergei Bagin via Telegram.
Regional head Alexander Brechalov confirmed that drones launched by Ukraine struck one of the facilities, resulting in injuries and damage, although he did not specify the location. Later, Ukraine's General Staff stated that their forces had targeted the missile plant near Votkinsk using Ukrainian-made FP-5 "Flamingo" cruise missiles, rather than drones. They noted that a fire was reported on the premises of the Votkinsk Plant, with further details still being clarified.
The Votkinsk factory, located over 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) from Ukraine, is known for producing Iskander ballistic missiles that are frequently used in strikes against Ukraine, as well as nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles and air-launched Kinzhal missiles. Unofficial Russian Telegram channel Astra corroborated this information, claiming the attack was directed at the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant based on footage provided by local residents.
Residents of Votkinsk reported hearing multiple blasts and the sound of drones, according to another Telegram channel, SHOT. Following the strike, the main passenger airport in Izhevsk and nearby regional airports suspended operations, as indicated by Russia’s civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsiya.
In another development, Ukraine's General Staff noted that their forces also targeted a gas processing plant in Russia's Samara region. Russian military blogs had earlier reported a fire resulting from an attack at this plant, but there was no immediate comment from Russian authorities regarding the incident.
Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its forces had successfully damaged sites used to launch Ukraine’s "Flamingo" cruise missiles on the previous day, but there was no mention of the Votkinsk plant or any strikes related to it in their statement.
The missile strike on the industrial facility comes shortly after recent U.S.-brokered talks between Moscow and Kyiv regarding Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine ended without any sign of progress. The negotiations, which took place in Switzerland, were characterized as the third round of direct discussions organized by the U.S. following earlier meetings in Abu Dhabi, which also yielded no significant advancement. As the fourth anniversary of the war approaches, expectations for meaningful progress were reportedly low.
Over the same weekend, Russia launched 120 drones and one ballistic missile against Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force reported that 106 of these drones were intercepted, while the missile along with 13 drones struck 11 locations within Ukraine. Oleh Kiper, head of the Odesa region, indicated that drones caused damage to civilian infrastructure, including a secondary school and energy company warehouses, resulting in two injuries.
Odesa and its surrounding region have been frequent targets of Russian attacks, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently reporting that many residents were left without heating and running water due to these continued assaults. He demanded that Moscow be held accountable for the relentless bombardment, which he claimed undermines U.S. efforts for a peaceful resolution.
In a separate issue, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) stated that it has gathered evidence suggesting that Ukraine has leveraged data from the Telegram app to carry out military operations. The FSB claims that the app, which is widely used by Russians, poses a danger to the lives of service members due to its use on the front lines. Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law requiring mobile operators to disable internet services upon the FSB’s request, a move viewed as part of the Kremlin's broader strategy to tighten internet control.
Earlier this month, Russian communications watchdog Roskomnadzor announced impending restrictions on Telegram, citing the platform's failure to adhere to Russian regulations. This decision has received criticism from military bloggers who argue that Telegram is vital for troop communications. Furthermore, the Russian government recently attempted to block WhatsApp entirely and has already restricted access to other major social media platforms since the invasion began in 2022.
