Ukrainian military intelligence, known as HUR, confirmed an attack on the Bazalt weapons manufacturing plant in Tula, Russia, with kamikaze drones. The Kyiv Post reported that the strike occurred overnight and targeted a facility about 180 kilometers south of Moscow. Bazalt is known for producing RPG-7V2 and RPG-29 grenade launchers, among other munitions.
Local residents reported that air defenses were active in the Tula region during the night. Russian sources claimed that their air defense systems shot down two Ukrainian drones. Bazalt, a state-owned enterprise, is a key manufacturer of aircraft bombs, anti-tank weapons, and various types of ammunition, with production facilities spread across Tula, Moscow, the Kostroma region, and Krasnoarmeysk.
🇺🇦😎💥 GUR drones hit a defense plant in #Tula, #russia
On the night of May 16, explosions rang out in the russian city of Tula on the territory of the state enterprise of the Russian defense complex “Basalt”. The object was attacked by drones. ⬇️1/ pic.twitter.com/VMazlz8hCP
— Jane🇩🇰🇺🇦 (@jane_sinding) May 16, 2024
Ukraine has increasingly relied on innovative drone technology to conduct strikes deep within Russian territory. Recently, Ukraine has used modified Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat aircraft, which resemble propeller-driven Cessna planes, to carry out these missions. These small, unmanned aircraft are packed with explosives and fly at low altitudes, evading Russia’s air-defense systems.
In early April, a modified A-22 Foxbat was used to attack a drone factory in Tatarstan, Russia. These drones travel at speeds up to 130 mph and are designed to fly for hundreds of miles to reach their targets. Despite their slow speed and loud operation, which make them vulnerable to visual detection, these drones have successfully penetrated deep into Russian territory.
Security experts highlight that these low-flying, slow-moving drones are difficult for radar systems to detect, especially if they navigate through areas with inadequate air defense coverage. The successful attacks suggest that Russia’s air defenses might be overstretched, with resources concentrated on battlefield areas and major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Small Ukrainian plane – modified to fly without a pilot – crashes into industrial building in Yelabuga, Russia.
More than 800 miles (1,300 km) from the border, it’s Ukraine’s deepest strike into Russian territory since the war began. 12 people were injured. pic.twitter.com/PovQY4Q9hh
— BNO News (@BNONews) April 2, 2024
The success of Ukraine’s drone strikes underscores the effectiveness of their long-range drone program. Ukrainian forces have developed a robust arsenal of homemade unmanned systems capable of striking deep into Russian territory, bypassing Western restrictions on using foreign-made weapons for such attacks. These drones have become a crucial element of Ukraine’s military strategy, allowing them to target key Russian infrastructure and military facilities.
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