**Russian Military-Industrial Site Damaged in Overnight Attack**
A crucial military-industrial complex in the Russian city of Taganrog was damaged overnight, according to a Ukrainian official. The site, known as Atlant-Aero, is linked to Moscow’s production of combat drones and electronic warfare systems.
The attack on the plant comes as Russia reported a wave of Ukrainian drone attacks across multiple regions, including Rostov, which borders eastern Ukraine. Russian authorities claimed that their forces shot down 40 Ukrainian drones over several areas, including the Crimean Peninsula and seven in the Rostov region.
According to Andrii Kovalenko, head of the counter-disinformation center at Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, the Atlant-Aero plant is an important node in Russia’s military-industrial complex. It specializes in components for combat drones and control systems, including the production of “Orion” drones, electronic warfare complexes, and digital integration systems for strike FPV (first person view) drones and loitering munitions.
**Escalating Drone Warfare**
The attack on Atlant-Aero plant is just one example of the escalating drone warfare between Ukraine and Russia. Throughout the full-scale invasion, both countries have invested heavily in dronetechnology, revolutionizing the way wars are fought.
Ukraine has ramped up its domestic drone production and long-range strike capabilities as it seeks to weaken Russian military infrastructure deep behind enemy lines. Earlier this month, Ukrainian drones targeted long-range Russian bombers in an operation dubbed “Spiderweb.”
Russia has responded with missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, launching hundreds of drones during overnight assaults. Since February 2022, Moscow has launched over 28,000 Shahed-type drones at Ukraine.
**Ukraine’s Drone Production**
Speaking at the NATO Defense Industry Forum in The Hague last week, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine can produce over 8 million drones of various types each year. He called for increased investment from allies to reach that potential and boost Ukraine’s drone production capabilities.
The attack on Atlant-Aero plant highlights the growing importance of drone warfare in modern conflicts. As both Ukraine and Russia continue to invest in dronetechnology, it is likely that we will see more attacks like this one in the future.
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