Camilla Jessen
Unidentified drones struck two key military-linked facilities overnight.
On the night of May 25–26, unidentified drones struck two strategic sites deep inside Russian territory.
The targets were a Shahed drone production plant in Yelabuga, Tatarstan, and a chemical facility in the Ivanovo region, according to Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation.
Though Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility, the strikes appear to be part of a growing campaign targeting the infrastructure behind Russia’s military supply chain.
“Despite the enemy’s own strikes, unidentified drones hit Yelabuga, where Shaheds are manufactured, and a chemical plant in Ivanovo that produces components for military equipment and missiles,” Kovalenko wrote on Telegram.
Drone Site Targeted Again
The Yelabuga facility, located in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, was reportedly hit by explosive-laden drones around 10:40 p.m.
Multiple explosions were heard near the site, which manufactures Iranian-designed Shahed kamikaze drones, frequently used in attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Local footage shows anti-aircraft missiles being launched in response to incoming drones, with flashes visible from within the industrial area.
Despite air defense efforts, several impacts were recorded.
As a result of the attack, the nearby Nizhnekamsk airport was briefly closed. Tatarstan officials have yet to issue a full statement on the damage.
The Yelabuga site, established in 2023 with Iranian cooperation, is about 1,200 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, well beyond the range of most traditional weapons, suggesting the use of long-range drones.
This is not the first time the factory has been targeted—Ukraine has reportedly struck it multiple times in recent months.
Ivanovo Chemical Plant Also Hit
Meanwhile, in the Ivanovo region, another drone strike hit a chemical facility linked to the production of components used in Russian weapons and missiles.
The full extent of the damage remains unclear, and Russian officials have not yet commented publicly on the incident.
The strikes follow a separate drone attack earlier this week on the Migalovo airbase near Tver, another key military hub. That facility supports Russia’s military transport aviation, including Il-76MD and An-124 cargo planes.