A MAJOR Russian cruise missile factory was blown up in a suspected kamikaze strike by Ukraine in a major blow to Putin.
The Russian plant where deadly Kh-59 missiles are produced was hit and damaged today according to Ukrainian military intelligence,
The strike targeted the Russian plant in Smolensk where Kh-59 missiles are produced
Ukraine’s military intelligence says the drone strike damaged the missile factory
The Russian plant was hit today, according to Ukrainian military intelligence
Kyiv alleges that three drones struck the target in Smolensk.
Russian officials had claimed five drones aimed at the Smolensk Aviation Plant were shot down by air defences without causing damage.
Kh-59 missiles are among the most heavily used by Vladimir Putin to attack Ukraine.
Ukraine claimed that the strike disrupted production of the cruise missile at the plant.
However, there are disputes over whether this missile is made at the Smolensk Aviation Plant, although some Russian sources say they are manufactured here.
Ukraine’s HUR military intelligence agency said: ”According to confirmed data, three out of four drones hit the targets, inflicting significant damage on the production capacities of the aggressor state’s defence company.”
Russian media outlet ASTRA said that a kamikaze drone had hit the roof of workshop number 55 at the plant “after which it exploded”.
“A hole measuring two by two metres appeared on the roof. Previously, the workshop equipment was not damaged,” said the report.
Another fell in front of workshop number 63.
A third crashed into workshop 55 after an attempt to down it by the Russians, said ASTRA.
Fragments hit the runway at Severny airfield.
Glazing was damaged in two flats of a residential building and at Kutuzov shopping centre.
Video shows the strikes on Smolensk.
Russia on Sunday had denied the strikes had hit their target.
Smolensk regional governor Vasily Anokhin said on his Telegram channel that “the Ukrainian Armed Forces were trying to carry out several terrorist attacks” on the region using kamikaze drones.
Five fixed-wing UAVs were suppressed by electronic warfare or air defences, he said.
He denied there was damage.
Later Russian media sources acknowledged there had been damage.
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