The city of Yelets in Lipetsk Oblast is once again the target of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks carried out by Ukrainian forces
According to information circulated on Russian social networks, on the night of May 23, local residents and sources within military circles once again recorded active drone activity in the air over the city, particularly around the strategically important "Energiya" factory, which produces batteries and accumulators and is also one of the suppliers to Russia’s military energy sector. Reports from Russian public groups and independent sources indicate that uncrewed aircraft attempted to penetrate the city again, and the first ones, likely, were shot down by air defense systems over the industrial zone of Yelets. Eyewitnesses at the scene speak of loud explosions and the sound of sirens, which have become signs of increased activity of regional protective systems. Local residents report that the situation remains tense, and the drone flights have caused panic among the population. Particularly notable is the attack on the industrial zone where the "Energiya" plant is located. According to open sources and social media, a fire broke out at the facility as a result of a nighttime missile "urgent strike," eyewitnesses report. Preliminary information suggests that the fire has been localized, but the impact caused significant damage to the production facilities. It is known that the battery manufacturing plant plays an important role in providing energy supplies to Russian military structures and industrial sites. Therefore, this latest attack has raised outright concern among Russian military and regional authorities. What preceded this? According to open sources, on the night of May 23, Yelets was already subjected to an aggressive drone attack. They again targeted production areas and managed to cause fires, which is confirmed by local reports and photographs from the scene. Regional authorities have not publicly commented on the situation, but experts believe that these attacks are targeted at disrupting logistical chains and destroying military consumers of critical Russian infrastructure. It is worth noting that Yelets is a strategic industrial railway hub located near the Ukrainian border, making its links to logistics and supplies a significant target in the current conflict situation. Attacks on the city are becoming more frequent and intense, indicating an increase in Ukrainian armed forces' activity aimed at supporting strategic regional facilities. Overall, the tense situation around Yelets continues to be a source of concern both for the local population and for Russian authorities, who are trying to contain these attacks but are increasingly confronted with missile and drone provocations that have strategic and symbolic significance. Reports from social media and Telegram channels suggest that Ukrainian forces are conducting a targeted informational and military campaign against key Russian industrial centers, aiming to weaken the enemy’s logistical capabilities and prepare the ground for further actions. It remains uncertain whether these actions will continue in the near future, but one thing is clear — the situation in the region remains tense, and the local population is witnessing a new escalation of the conflict unfolding in the skies over Yelets.