Drone Attack in Izhevsk: Russian Military Plant Targeted Amid Ongoing Conflict
On Tuesday morning, July 1, in the Russian city of Izhevsk, located approximately 1,300 kilometers from Ukraine's border, unexpected events unfolded that drew significant attention from the public and law enforcement authorities. An attack by unmanned aerial vehicles targeted a major defense industry enterprise, resulting in substantial fires and the evacuation of workers. According to local sources, the incident involved the Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant 'Kupol' — one of Russia’s leading producers of air defense systems, part of the 'Almaz-Antey' concern. The governor of Udmurtia, Alexander Brechalov, reported that the attack targeted one of the company's production sites, although details and consequences remain under investigation. Emergency services were dispatched promptly, and employees were evacuated for safety reasons. Witnesses reported hearing at least two loud explosions near the 'Kupol' plant, with reports indicating the use of 'Luty' type drones. Experts suggest that these UAVs were armed and capable of causing significant damage. The 'Kupol' plant is a strategically vital facility within Russia’s defense sector—producing the S-400 missile system, 'Tor-M2E' air defense systems, and combat UAVs 'Garpia-A1,' maintaining a robust military backbone. Since December 2022, the enterprise has been subjected to sanctions from the EU and the United States, complicating its operations. The damages and fire remain under assessment, but the attack signifies an escalation in hostilities, highlighting the increasing impact of the Ukraine conflict on Russia’s internal security and military infrastructure.