Ukrainian drones hit weapons factory deep in Russia after heavy Moscow attacks

(Patria) - Ukrainian drones hit a Russian industrial facility about 1,300 kilometers from Ukraine, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy prioritized weapons development and Russia in June pounded Ukraine with a record monthly number of drones, AP reported.

Both sides in the three-year war following Russia's invasion in February 2022 have been racing to improve drone technology and increase their use on the battlefield. They have deployed increasingly sophisticated and deadly drones, turning the war into a testing ground for new weapons.

Ukraine is under heavy pressure from Russian pressure on positions along the roughly 1,000-kilometer front line, but analysts say its defenses are largely holding firm. With recent direct peace talks yielding no progress in international efforts led by the United States to stop the fighting, Russia and Ukraine are stockpiling their arsenals.

Russia last month launched 5,438 drones at Ukraine, a new monthly record, according to official data compiled by the Associated Press.

Ukraine ramps up drone production

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone struck an industrial facility in Izhevsk, about 1,000 kilometers east of Moscow, killing three people and wounding 35, said Alexander Brechalov, head of the Udmurtia region. Workers at the facility were evacuated, he said.

The drone hit the Kupol electromechanical plant, which produces air defense systems and drones for the Russian military, according to a Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) official.

At least two direct hits on the plant's buildings were recorded, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

Ukraine has for months used domestically produced long-range drones to strike facilities, warehouses and logistics hubs deep inside Russian territory. In May last year, a Ukrainian drone hit an early warning radar in the Russian city of Orsk, about 1,800 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, Kyiv officials claimed.

Zelenskiy said Ukraine's domestic drone production would increase in response to Russia's expanded barrages. "The priority is drones, interceptor drones and long-range drones," he said on Telegram on Monday evening. "This is extremely important," he added.

"Russia is investing in its unmanned capabilities, Russia plans to increase the number of drones used in attacks on our country. We are preparing our countermeasures."

Russia's Defense Ministry said sixty Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight in several regions, including seventeen over Crimea, sixteen over the Rostov region and four over the Saratov region.

At the same time, four Russian Shahed drones struck the city of Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine overnight, leaving more than 1,600 households without power, according to authorities.

Ukraine's Air Force said Russia launched 52 Shaheds and decoys overnight.