**Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Fiber Optic Plant, Causing Widespread Damage**
In the early hours of May 7, Ukrainian drones targeted a crucial fiber optic plant in Saransk, Mordovia Republic, Russia. According to reports from Astra, a Russian independent outlet, two fires broke out as a result of the attack – one at the Optic Fiber Systems plant and another a few kilometers away at the Saranskkabel plant.
The drone strike sent shockwaves through the city’s industrial district around 6 am local time. Local residents described hearing powerful explosions in the area. The Optic Fiber Systems JSC plant, which has an annual capacity of 4 million kilometers of fiber, was severely damaged. This plant supplies not only the Russian army but also major telecom operators with materials for producing fiber-optic drones.
These special drones are resistant to electronic warfare interference and play a significant role in Ukraine’s military operations against Russia. The shutdown of the Optic Fiber Systems factory is now considered a possibility by Kovalenko, who believes that this attack will severely impact Russian drone production capabilities.
However, **the potential consequences of the strike on the Saranskkabel plant remain unknown**. This facility has been involved in producing similar fiber-optic equipment for Russia’s military use. As such, its damage could potentially disrupt communication networks and further hinder Ukraine’s operations against Russian forces.
In response to this attack, the operational headquarters of Mordovia banned the publication of photos and videos showing the aftermath of the strike. This secrecy measures are likely aimed at preventing panic among local residents.
It is worth noting that **this drone strike marks the second time in a month** that Ukrainian drones have targeted Russian fiber optic and explosives factories across Russia. On April 4, similar attacks took place across various locations within Russia.
The attack on Saransk brings attention to Russia’s reliance on imported electronics and manufacturing capabilities. The Optic Fiber Systems plant is one of the few remaining facilities capable of producing high-quality optical fibers in Russia.
The Kyiv Independent could not verify some claims made by Astra, but it is clear that this strike will have significant repercussions for Russia’s military operations against Ukraine.
As Tim Zadorozhnyy from The Kyiv Independent noted, “Saransk lies approximately 630 kilometers east of Moscow and roughly 1000 kilometers away from the nearest point on the Russia–Ukraine border.”
