Ukrainian drones struck a major Russian weapons plant overnight in the city of Yelets, setting off a large fire and halting operations at a facility critical to Moscow’s military supply chain.
The attack targeted the Energia plant in Russia’s Lipetsk region, local officials and Ukrainian sources confirmed Friday, May 23. The facility is a major supplier of batteries and power systems used across Russia’s defense sector.
Overall, Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had downed at least 112 Ukrainian drones in a third night of attacks, with Moscow again targeted with strikes that disrupted operations at several airports.
The Lipetsk governor Igor Artamonov said debris from downed drones caused a fire in an industrial area and injured eight people. Another drone hit the roof of an apartment building, damaging 20 units. No deaths were reported. Artamonov did not name the facility but denied reports that it had caused a leak of hazardous chemicals.
Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation reported the plant’s shutdown following the strike.
“The plant is under sanctions from the EU, the US, Japan, and other countries because of its importance to Russia’s military-industrial complex – that nevertheless continued to operate. As of now, after the attack, the plant is suspending its work,” Andrii Kovalenko, the center’s head said.
Energia produces lithium-ion and mercury-zinc batteries used in drones, aircraft, naval vessels, and electronic warfare systems. Its products also support communications, control systems, simulators for tanks and missiles, and weapons including Iskander and Kinzhal missiles.
The plant also manufactures electrochemical capacitors and light-optical power sources that can supply power independently without laying external lines.
The independent Exilenova+ Telegram channel confirmed the fire at the plant. Kommersant previously reported that Energia had recently doubled its output and planned further growth in 2025 to meet increasing demand from Russia’s armed forces.
The strike follows another drone attack on May 21, which targeted a microelectronics plant in the Orel region. That facility also caught fire but reported no injuries.
Russia and Ukraine have deployed drones against one another on a near daily basis since Russia launched its military offensive on Ukraine more than three years ago, but Moscow has rarely been targeted.
On Thursday, flights were halted at several Moscow airports, Russia’s aviation authority Rosaviatsiya said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly rebuffed calls by Kyiv and the West for an unconditional and immediate ceasefire.