As of: April 3, 2024, 7:20 p.m
By: Simon Schröder
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A repurposed Cessna hits a Russian drone factory. The target is deep in Russian territory and exposes Putin's vulnerability.
Yelabuga – A converted Cessna hit a Russian drone factory in Yelabuga. The small aircraft was converted by Ukraine into an unmanned flying object and equipped with plenty of explosives and a remote control. In a video shared on the social media platform A large fireball suggests how much explosives the small Cessna had on board.
Ukrainian drones are increasingly proving to be a valuable weapon for attacking targets deep in Russian territory. © Efrem Lukatsky/dpa & Glomex
Ukrainian Cessna may hit drone factory deep in Russian territory
The drone factory, about 900 kilometers east of Moscow, is not the first target the Ukrainians have hit deep in Russia's interior during the Ukraine war. Oil depots, refineries and other important strategic targets were repeatedly targeted, as
Forbes
reports. It is not clear from the video whether the production facility itself was hit. It is also possible that the Cessna crashed into the factory workers' dormitories nearby and that the factory itself was not hit. According to reports from Tatarstan's Ministry of Health, 13 people were injured in the attack.
At least 16 different drone models that can hit targets deep inside Russia are currently in use,
Forbes
further reports. Although Russia can intercept the majority of Ukrainian drones, the continuous flood of unmanned aircraft means that the Ukrainian military repeatedly hits oil refineries, most recently on Tuesday (April 2) at Tatneft's Taneco refinery.
Strategic goals in Russia as an important factor in the Ukrainian war
By attacking Russian territory, Kiev is trying to slow down Russia's war industry. Directly through attacks on the defense industry such as the drone factory or indirectly through attacks on Russian refineries. Gasoline and diesel in particular are essential for Russia in war. On the one hand as an export hit, on the other hand to keep military equipment such as tanks etc. functional. Russian oil production has so far been reduced by around ten percent due to Ukrainian attacks.
The attack also shows that Russian airspace is inadequately defended. Most of Russia's defense capabilities were transferred to the war front. Large parts of the Russian hinterland are so vulnerable. Mark Hertling, a retired US Army general, added: "Not just 'six major Russian oil refineries', but all deep within Russian territory and all undefended (were hit,
editor's note
)."
(SiSchr)