On April 2, 2023, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) reported drone strikes on drone production facilities in the Russian cities of Yelabuga and Nizhnekamsk, Tatarstan, located approximately 1,300 kilometers from the Ukraine-Russia border. Andrii Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence, clarified in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that the operations did not employ weapons supplied by Western partners.
Russians retrieve the wreckage of Ukrainian kamikaze aircatft, which targeted Alabuga, Republic of Tatarstan (Russia) today.
The aircraft was converted into a drone – A-22 Flying Fox.
The A-22 Flying Fox, also known as the Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat, is a Ukrainian two-seat,… pic.twitter.com/obdWO5ACNA
— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 2, 2024
The attacks, which resulted in damages to a dormitory and injuries to 13 students according to Russian state media, were met with international concern. The U.N. Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, emphasized the need to halt attacks on civilian infrastructure. Ukraine, however, argued that the destruction of additional facilities was a consequence of Russian air defenses attempting to intercept the drones.
Highlighting the advancement of Ukraine’s UAV industry, Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced on April 1 that Ukraine has developed attack drones with a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers. The country aims to produce 1 million drones by 2024 to bolster its defense capabilities.
The U.S. stance on the issue was articulated by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who stated that the U.S. neither supports nor enables Ukrainian strikes outside its territory. This position aligns with reports that Washington cautioned Kyiv against attacking Russian oil refineries, fearing potential impacts on global oil prices.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky maintains that targeting Russian oil and weapons facilities forms part of a legitimate military strategy, asserting Ukraine’s right to self-defense using domestically produced weapons. The incident underscores the complexities of international warfare and the strategic use of indigenous military technologies in modern conflicts.
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