- Ukrainian drones struck Russia’s Aviastar aircraft plant in Ulyanovsk and the 123rd Aircraft Repair Plant in Staraya Russa, targeting facilities linked to military aviation production and maintenance.
- The strikes focused on disrupting Russia’s ability to produce, repair, and sustain transport and surveillance aircraft, including sites reportedly hosting A-50 airborne early warning platforms.
Ukrainian long-range one-way attack drones struck two major aviation facilities in Russia in recent days, targeting the Aviastar aircraft plant in Ulyanovsk and the 123rd Aircraft Repair Plant in Staraya Russa.
The attacks come as Ukraine continues efforts to disrupt Russia’s military aviation production and maintenance capacity, focusing on facilities linked to transport aircraft and support systems used by Russian Aerospace Forces.
According to OSINT monitoring channels, the Aviastar plant—Russia’s largest aircraft manufacturing facility—was among the sites targeted. The plant is located in Ulyanovsk and is part of the United Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of the state-owned Rostec defense conglomerate.
Aviastar specializes in the production of Il-76MD-90A military transport aircraft and Il-78M-90A aerial refueling tankers. The facility also provides maintenance and servicing for heavy transport aircraft, including the An-124 “Ruslan.”
In recent years, the plant has undergone expansion to increase production output. By 2026, its workforce had grown to approximately 13,000 employees as part of efforts to accelerate manufacturing of military transport aircraft.
The second reported target, the 123rd Aircraft Repair Plant in Staraya Russa in Russia’s Novgorod region, is responsible for repair, modernization, and maintenance of military transport aviation operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces.
The facility specializes in servicing Il-76 and Il-78 aircraft, as well as L-410 platforms. It also conducts work on engines including the D-30KP and AI-20, auxiliary power units such as the TG-16M, and propellers including the AV-68 and AV-72.
According to Russian aviation monitoring channels cited by analysts, two A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft were reportedly present at the Staraya Russa facility at the time of the strike. The A-50 is a high-value platform used for airborne surveillance and battle management.
The Ukrainian strikes were identified through open-source reporting, including local monitoring channels, which indicated drone activity in the vicinity of both facilities. No official Russian confirmation of damage has been provided in the available information.
The targeting of these facilities suggests a focus on disrupting Russia’s ability to sustain and repair its transport and support aviation fleet. Military transport aircraft such as the Il-76 play a central role in logistics, troop movement, and supply operations, while tanker aircraft extend the operational range of combat aircraft.
Aircraft repair plants are also critical nodes in maintaining operational readiness, as they support routine maintenance cycles, upgrades, and recovery of damaged aircraft. Any disruption to these facilities can affect the availability of aircraft for ongoing operations.
The reported presence of A-50 aircraft at the repair plant underscores the potential operational impact of the strike. These aircraft provide airborne early warning and control capabilities, allowing Russian forces to detect aerial threats and coordinate air operations over long distances.
Drone strikes on industrial and maintenance facilities reflect a broader pattern of targeting infrastructure linked to Russia’s defense production and sustainment. Such operations are typically aimed at reducing the effectiveness of military systems without direct engagement on the front line.
In recent months, Ukrainian forces have increasingly used long-range drones to reach targets deep inside Russian territory. These systems are often employed to strike logistics hubs, production sites, and airbases that support military operations.