Drone Strike Halts Key Russian Weapons Plant’s Manufacturing, Flights Grounded

[ad_1] [ UPDATED: July 3, 3:05 pm , Kyiv time. Updated with Ukraine’s General Staff Confirmation]

A Ukrainian drone assault struck Russia ’s Lipetsk area early Thursday, July 3, with explosions reported within the regional capital and town of Yelets - residence to the Energia plant, a key facility supporting Russia’s missile and drone manufacturing.

Native Telegram channel ASTRA , citing eyewitnesses, mentioned drones have been flying towards the Lipetsk-2 airfield and the Energia plant, which gave the impression to be hit.

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Photographs circulated on-line present shattered home windows and visual harm to the constructing.

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The regional governor, Igor Artamonov, confirmed {that a} fireplace broke out within the parking zone of an enterprise in Yelets following the assault.

Energia produces lithium-ion and mercury-zinc batteries utilized in missiles, drones, plane, naval vessels, and digital warfare methods. Its energy methods help communications, command facilities, tank and missile simulators, and weapons just like the Iskander and Kinzhal missiles.

The ability additionally manufactures electrochemical capacitors and autonomous light-optical energy sources.

Kommersant beforehand reported that Energia had doubled its output to satisfy rising demand from Russia’s army and deliberate additional growth in 2025. As a result of its function within the battle in opposition to Ukraine, the plant is underneath sanctions by the EU, US, Japan, and others.

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Initially, there had been no official affirmation of the strike from Ukraine’s General Staff. Nevertheless, later the company confirmed that Ukraine was behind the July 3 drone strike on the Energia plant.

“Early within the morning of July 3, models of the AFU Unmanned Techniques Forces, in cooperation with different parts of the Protection Forces, carried out a precision strike on Energia as a part of efforts to degrade the offensive capabilities of the Russian armed forces,” the assertion mentioned.

In line with the Common Workers, explosions have been recorded on the premises of the plant, resulting in a halt in its operations.

“The outcomes of the strike are being assessed. The Protection Forces proceed measures to undermine the Russian Federation’s military-industrial potential and compel an finish to its armed aggression in opposition to Ukraine,” the assertion added.

In the meantime, the Russian Telegram channel Astra , citing sources within the Russian Ministry of Emergency Conditions, reported that at the least 12 drones hit the Energia facility.

Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Protection claimed that 10 drones have been shot down over the area throughout the night time.

Russian officers raised the air alert stage in Lipetsk from “yellow” to “purple” as a result of menace of UAV assaults at 1:29 a.m. Quickly after which, explosions rocked the area, with Russian social media reporting air defenses partaking incoming drones.

The Telegram channel Exilenova+ mentioned drones have been seen heading in the direction of the Lipetsk-2 airfield. Eyewitnesses reported listening to as much as 15 blasts within the European and Izmailovsky districts.

Through the assault, particles from a downed drone hit a non-public residence within the Lipetsk district. A 70-year-old lady was killed, and two others injured. Governor Artamonov mentioned the victims have been receiving medical care however will not be in a life-threatening situation.

In the meantime, flights have been suspended at Tambov airport as a result of drone menace, in keeping with Russia’s Federal Air Transport Company. The area had additionally declared an in a single day air alert, citing drones coming from the Voronezh area and heading towards Tambov and Kotovsk.

This isn't the primary time the Energia facility has come underneath assault. On Could 23, drones previously struck the plant , and Ukraine’s Common Workers confirmed the hit.