A Ukrainian drone attack on Tuesday targeted multiple locations in Russia, including the Smolensk Aviation Plant, a facility that produces and maintains Su-25 ground attack aircraft.
The strike caused a fire at the plant, according to reports from independent sources.
Smolensk Aviation Plant 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/8ymVzRFumL
— MAKS 24 🇺🇦👀 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) January 20, 2025
The Smolensk Aviation Plant, located about 60 kilometers from the Belarus border, is a key part of Russia’s defense industry. It manufactures and modernizes military aircraft and supplies parts to other defense operations. Ukrainian officials have called the plant a critical target for disrupting Russia’s military operations.
Smolensk Governor Vasily Anokhin said falling drone debris also caused fires in an oil depot in Voronezh Oblast, which had been targeted earlier in January.
Reports indicate that at least two high-rise residential buildings were also damaged in the attack. Meanwhile, airports in Kazan and Ulyanovsk activated emergency protocols due to drone threats, resulting in flight delays.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that air defenses intercepted 55 drones across six regions, including 10 in Smolensk Oblast.
