The Ukrainian resistance movement “Atesh“ reported a successful reconnaissance mission at a strategic defense facility in St. Petersburg — the “UEC-Klimov” plant, which manufactures and repairs engines for Russia’s combat aviation.
According to the partisans, their agents were able to thoroughly study the territory and production capacities of the plant, which they say is critical for the Russian military.
They reported that the facility produces gas turbine engines and gearboxes for MiG-29 and MiG-35 fighter jets, as well as Mi-8, Mi-17, Ka-27, and Ka-52 helicopters.
St. Petersburg is Russia’s second-largest city after Moscow, located in the northwest of the country, near the border with Finland. It lies about 700 kilometers (435 miles) northwest of Moscow and over 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
Despite its geographical distance from the front lines, it hosts several key defense enterprises – including those involved in manufacturing aircraft engines for the Russian army.
All gathered intelligence has already been transferred to Ukraine’s Defense Forces, Atesh reported. The partisans said the information could significantly weaken Russia’s ability to wage aerial warfare.
“The results won’t take long,” the group stated.
Last week, the partisans reported that Russian troops in occupied Crimea are ramping up defenses in anticipation of a large drone attack.
ATESH agents carried out surveillance at an air defense base in occupied Sevastopol, a strategically important Black Sea port city. They reported observing increased movement of mobile firing units, equipment checks, ammo deliveries, and tighter security measures.
These activities suggest Russia is preparing for another wave of Ukrainian drone strikes.
The country has already faced several large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks deep inside its territory.
The largest ever reported was on Wednesday, when Ukrainian drones struck the Raduga Design Bureau, a Russian missile plant, 130 kilometers (81.25 miles) north of Moscow.
In a statement, Ukraine’s Security Service, the SBU, said wryly that Ukrainian “drone sanctions” would continue.