Ukrainian forces carried out a deep strike inside Russia on Saturday, targeting a major state-owned missile manufacturing facility in the Udmurt Republic, marking one of Kyiv’s longest-range attacks of the war.
According to Ukrainian military officials, the strike hit the Votkinsk Plant, a key enterprise of Russia’s military-industrial complex located near the city of Votkinsk, more than 1,400 kilometres from Ukraine. The facility produces Iskander ballistic missiles, nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched missiles, and Kinzhal air-launched missiles.
Russia’s regional authorities confirmed that an industrial site in Udmurt Republic was attacked but did not officially name the facility. Regional head Alexander Brechalov said the attack caused injuries and damage. Local health minister Sergei Bagin reported that 11 people were wounded, three of whom were hospitalized.
Ukraine’s General Staff later stated that the operation was carried out using Ukrainian-made FP-5 “Flamingo” cruise missiles, not drones, and confirmed that a fire broke out at the plant. Unofficial Russian Telegram channels, including Astra and SHOT, also reported explosions and fire at the Votkinsk missile factory, citing resident footage and eyewitness accounts.
Following the attack, Russia temporarily suspended operations at airports in Izhevsk and nearby regions, according to the civil aviation authority Rosaviatsiya.
Ukraine also claimed to have struck a gas processing plant in Russia’s Samara region, with Russian military bloggers reporting a fire at the site. Moscow has not officially commented on that incident. Russia’s Defence Ministry said it had damaged Ukrainian launch sites for Flamingo missiles but did not acknowledge the Votkinsk strike.
Meanwhile, Russia launched a large overnight attack on Ukraine, firing 120 drones and one ballistic missile, according to Ukraine’s air force. Ukrainian defenses intercepted most of the drones, but strikes were reported in 11 locations. In Ukraine’s Odesa region, Governor Oleh Kiper said civilian and energy infrastructure were damaged, injuring two people.
The escalation comes days after U.S.-brokered talks between Moscow and Kyiv in Switzerland ended without progress, ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Separately, Russia intensified internet restrictions. The Federal Security Service (FSB) accused Ukraine of exploiting Telegram for military intelligence, while President Vladimir Putin signed a law allowing authorities to block internet services at the FSB’s request.
Russia has also moved to further restrict Telegram and previously attempted to block WhatsApp, continuing a broader crackdown on digital platforms.
