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Ukraine drones target key Russian explosive manufacturer, Moscow

Russia claims it downed 110 drones while Ukraine has not commented so far

Ukraine drones target key Russian explosive manufacturer, Moscow

A satellite image shows a part of Lipetsk military airbase, after Ukraine said it hit the area, in this satellite image taken on August 9, 2024, in Lipetsk region, Russia

Reuters

The Ya. M. Sverdlov explosives plant, sanctioned by the U.S. and EU, was a primary target

Four firefighters were slightly injured, and explosions were reported near the plant

Ukraine has not commented, but it often targets Russian war infrastructure in response to Russian strikes

Ukraine targeted Moscow and a manufacturer of military explosives deep inside Russian territory with drones overnight, officials and Russian Telegram channels reported on Sunday.

Russian air defense units downed 110 Ukrainian drones over Russia, the defense ministry said, including one over the Moscow region, 43 over the border region of Kursk, and 27 over southwestern Lipetsk region.

The Russian SHOT Telegram channel reported that drones attempted to strike the Ya. M. Sverdlov State Owned Enterprise in Dzerzhinsk city, Nizhny Novgorod region, about 400 km (250 miles) east of Moscow.

The plant, one of the largest manufacturers of explosives used by Russian forces in the war that Moscow launched against Ukraine in February 2022, is subject to sanctions by the United States and the European Union.

Four firefighters received minor shrapnel wounds in a drone attack on an industrial zone in Dzerzhinsk city, the region's governor said, without specifying the target of the attack.

The Russian defense ministry said on Telegram that eight Ukrainian drones were destroyed over Nizhny Novgorod. Residents reported powerful explosions and white smoke in the area of the plant, SHOT reported.

Reuters could not independently verify the reports.

Moscow's Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram that debris fell in the Ramensky district of Moscow region but there was no damage or casualties.

There was no immediate comment from Ukraine about the drone attacks.

Reuters

A drone view shows what the 68th Separate Jaeger Brigade 'Oleksy Dovbusha' says are multiple launch rocket system strikes on Russian troops, in Novozhelanne, Donetsk Region, Ukraine, in this still image from handout video obtained on August 21, 2024

Kyiv has often said its air attacks target infrastructure key to Russia's war efforts and are a response to Moscow's continued air attacks on Ukraine.

Russian officials often do not disclose full extent of damage inflicted by the drone attacks, especially on military, transport or energy infrastructure.

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