Photo: Rostec

On the night of 20 October, drones of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Special Operations Forces (SOF) and the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) hit a strategic facility of the Russian military-industrial complex – the Sverdlov plant in Dzerzhinsk, Nizhny Novgorod region. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing sources in the Ukrainian intelligence community.

The Sverdlov plant, located 900 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, is one of Russia’s largest explosives producers. According to sources, the attack was carried out by several dozen Ukrainian-made attack drones.

A symbolic victory and a sanctions blow

“The SBU is not only strengthening sanctions against companies that help the aggression, but also complementing them with effective drone attacks. We are working to weaken the enemy’s military capabilities,” said a source in the SBU. The plant is already under sanctions from Ukraine, the EU, the US and other countries for supporting actions that undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The plant’s products are used in military operations against Ukraine.

A strategic object of the Russian industry

The Sverdlov plant produces not only industrial explosives, but also aircraft bombs, anti-tank missile warheads, and air defence warheads. The company also supplies explosives to the oil and gas and mining industries.

Reaction of local authorities and Russian media

According to Russian Telegram channels, the explosions occurred at around 4:00 am, after which a column of thick smoke rose in the area of the plant. Local authorities claimed that Russian air defence forces attempted to shoot down the kamikaze drones, but the aftermath of the strike suggests that the Ukrainian drones hit their target.

This strike is the next stage in the campaign to destroy key elements of the Russian military-industrial complex, which provides the aggressor’s army with the resources to wage war against Ukraine.