Russia and Ukraine Target Each Other's Drone Production Facilities

Both Russia and Ukraine are conducting strikes on each other's drone production facilities after finding that counter-drone systems have become less effective at intercepting aircraft already in flight. The strikes aim to destroy drones before they can be assembled and launched.

Ukrainian forces have expanded long-range attacks against Russian manufacturing sites over recent months, while Russian forces have reported targeting Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle assembly and component facilities. One prominent Ukrainian strike occurred on April 19, 2026, when forces used Neptune cruise missiles to hit the Atlant Aero facility in Taganrog, Rostov Oblast.

The plant produced Molniya strike-reconnaissance drones and components for the Orion drone. Satellite imagery showed damage to production buildings and logistics areas, and the site was struck again in subsequent weeks. The Atlant Aero attack formed part of a wider Ukrainian campaign.

Later in April, Ukrainian forces targeted the BARS-Sarmat Special Purpose Center in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast, which develops drones, robotic systems and electronic warfare technologies. Ukrainian strikes have also hit the Progress factory in Tambov Oblast, which produces sensors and electronics for advanced Russian drones.

Multiple attacks occurred in April and early May 2026 on the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan, where Russia assembles Shahed-type drones used in strikes against Ukraine. Reports indicated damage to production and assembly areas. On May 5, 2026, Ukrainian missiles and drones struck the VNIIR-Progress plant near Cheboksary in the Chuvash Republic.

The facility manufactures navigation receivers, antennas and Kometa modules used in Shahed-type drones and glide bombs to counter GPS spoofing and electronic warfare. Ukrainian and Russian reports stated that the strike caused fires and significant damage.

“The attack on VNIIR-Progress illustrates a more brute-force approach to counter-drone warfare. Rather than continuously improving GPS spoofing techniques, Ukraine targeted the production source of the Kometa chips themselves.”

Russia has also increased strikes on Ukrainian drone infrastructure. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on its Telegram channel that between April 25 and May 1 it conducted six long-range strikes against Ukrainian targets, some aimed at assembly, storage and launch areas of attack unmanned aerial vehicles.

Similar statements have appeared in its weekly summaries in recent months. Russian forces have targeted facilities around Kyiv linked to production of Liutyi long-range drones, which Ukraine has used to strike Russian oil infrastructure and military sites.

Strikes have also hit workshops assembling and modifying FPV drones used along the front lines. Russia has conducted repeated strikes on industrial zones in Kharkiv and Dnipro associated with Ukraine's defense-industrial base, including facilities involved in communications systems, guidance components and electronic warfare support.

The shift toward targeting production sites stems from limitations in counter-drone technology. Many Russian drones now reach targets despite Ukrainian defenses due to improved electronics, processing power and autonomy. Russia faces challenges providing air-defense coverage across its large territory, and some jamming systems have lost effectiveness against Ukrainian adaptations including Starlink-enabled communications.

Drone capabilities have also advanced on both sides. Ukraine has extended the range of systems such as the Liutyi and modified UJ-22, reaching targets more than 1,000 kilometers inside Russia. Russian Shahed-type drones have incorporated better navigation, faster speeds, collaborative operation and greater resistance to electronic warfare.

Counter-drone systems are reactive by nature. They exploit specific technical vulnerabilities, require frequent updates and have allowed many drones to reach targets despite deployment by both sides. The increased focus on production facilities represents a proactive effort to reduce the number of drones that enter service.

Strikes have grown more frequent since early 2026 as both countries seek to disrupt the other's ability to manufacture aircraft at scale.