A Ukrainian drone attack struck Russia’s Lipetsk region early Thursday, July 3, with explosions reported in the regional capital and the city of Yelets - home to the Energia plant, a key facility supporting Russia’s missile and drone production.
Local Telegram channel ASTRA, citing eyewitnesses, said drones were flying toward the Lipetsk-2 airfield and the Energia plant, which appeared to be hit.
Photos circulated online show shattered windows and visible damage to the building.
The regional governor, Igor Artamonov, confirmed that a fire broke out in the parking lot of an enterprise in Yelets following the attack.
Energia produces lithium-ion and mercury-zinc batteries used in missiles, drones, aircraft, naval vessels, and electronic warfare systems. Its power systems support communications, command centers, tank and missile simulators, and weapons like the Iskander and Kinzhal missiles.
The facility also manufactures electrochemical capacitors and autonomous light-optical power sources.
Kommersant previously reported that Energia had doubled its output to meet growing demand from Russia’s military and planned further expansion in 2025. Due to its role in the war against Ukraine, the plant is under sanctions by the EU, US, Japan, and others.
Initially, there had been no official confirmation of the strike from Ukraine’s General Staff. However, later the agency confirmed that Ukraine was behind the July 3 drone strike on the Energia plant.
“Early in the morning of July 3, units of the AFU Unmanned Systems Forces, in cooperation with other components of the Defense Forces, carried out a precision strike on Energia as part of efforts to degrade the offensive capabilities of the Russian armed forces,” the statement said.
According to the General Staff, explosions were recorded on the premises of the plant, leading to a halt in its operations.
“The results of the strike are being assessed. The Defense Forces continue measures to undermine the Russian Federation’s military-industrial potential and compel an end to its armed aggression against Ukraine,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Russian Telegram channel Astra, citing sources in the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, reported that at least 12 drones hit the Energia facility.
Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that 10 drones were shot down over the region during the night.
Russian officials raised the air alert level in Lipetsk from “yellow” to “red” due to the threat of UAV attacks at 1:29 a.m. Soon after which, explosions rocked the region, with Russian social media reporting air defenses engaging incoming drones.
The Telegram channel Exilenova+ said drones were seen heading towards the Lipetsk-2 airfield. Eyewitnesses reported hearing up to 15 blasts in the European and Izmailovsky districts.
During the attack, debris from a downed drone hit a private home in the Lipetsk district. A 70-year-old woman was killed, and two others injured. Governor Artamonov said the victims were receiving medical care but are not in a life-threatening condition.
Meanwhile, flights were suspended at Tambov airport due to the drone threat, according to Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency. The region had also declared an overnight air alert, citing drones coming from the Voronezh region and heading toward Tambov and Kotovsk.
This is not the first time the Energia facility has come under attack. On May 23, drones previously struck the plant, and Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed the hit.
At the time, Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation said the strike forced the plant to suspend operations.