**Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Defense Industry Plants, Disrupting Moscow Air Traffic**
In a bold move against Russia’s military capabilities, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has carried out long-range drone strikes on two crucial defense industry plants in the Moscow region. According to sources within the SBU, the strikes were conducted overnight on May 7, targeting the Bazalt plant in Krasnoarmeysk and the Splav plant in Tula.
The Bazalt plant is Russia’s primary manufacturer of munitions and weaponry for all branches of its military. Residents reported at least seven explosions followed by a large fire at the site. The Splav plant, located about 180 kilometers south of Moscow, is reportedly responsible for designing and producing multiple-launch rocket systems and related ammunition. Footage from the scene showed heavy smoke and flames engulfing part of the facility.
**Air Traffic Disrupted, Thousands of Passengers Affected**
The strikes triggered heightened alert measures across the Moscow Oblast, forcing Russian authorities to enact “Plan Cover,” a security protocol that includes grounding civilian air traffic. Airports across Moscow and the surrounding oblast temporarily shut down, stranding thousands of passengers and forcing airlines to cancel or reroute hundreds of flights.
Pro-Kremlin sources reported a near-total collapse of air operations across Moscow airports on the night of May 7, with around 350 flights affected and over 60,000 passengers impacted. Some passengers were forced to wait on board planes for hours without food or clear information.
**Propaganda Event Imperiled**
The disruption comes just two days before Russia’s annual Victory Day parade on May 9, a central propaganda event for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The strikes have put a damper on Russia’s efforts to showcase its military might and national pride on this occasion.
**Separate Strikes Hit Optic Fiber Systems Plant**
Ukrainian drone strikes also reportedly damaged the Optic Fiber Systems plant in Saransk, Republic of Mordovia. The facility produces fiber for Russian military drones and suffered “serious damage,” according to Ukrainian security officials. A second fire broke out nearby at the Saranskkabel plant, with local residents describing powerful explosions around 6 a.m.
**Russian Authorities Restrict Information**
The Kyiv Independent was unable to independently verify these claims, and Russian authorities have banned the publication of images or video from the attack sites. This move has only fueled speculation about the severity of the damage inflicted by the Ukrainian drone strikes.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
