Ukrainian forces carried out significant drone strikes against the Lipetsk-2 Air Base near Lipetsk City and the Sverdlov Plant, a key Russian defense enterprise in Dzerzhinsk, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, during the night of October 19 to 20.
According to Ukraine’s General Staff, the strikes, led by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR), and Special Operations Forces (SSO), hit critical targets including ammunition depots, fuel storage facilities, and aircraft at the airbase, resulting in fires and secondary explosions.
The base houses Su-34 fighter-bombers, Su-35 fighters, and MiG-31 interceptors.
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Lipetsk Oblast Governor Igor Artamonov reported that Russian forces intercepted several drones over the region, but a crash led to a fire in an undisclosed location.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces also struck the Sverdlov Plant, one of Russia’s largest explosives factories, which produces chemicals for artillery ammunition and glide bombs. Geolocated footage confirmed an explosion near the plant, causing further secondary explosions.
The U.S. imposed sanctions on the Sverdlov Plant in July 2023 due to its support of Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. Nizhny Novgorod Oblast Governor Gleb Nikitin claimed that the drone strike on the Dzerzhinsk industrial zone was repelled, though several plant employees sustained minor injuries.
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