Ukraine Launches Long-Range Drone Strikes on Multiple Russian Defense Facilities

Ukraine has intensified its long-range drone strikes targeting critical Russian military-industrial facilities, including a recent attack on the JSC FNPC Research Institute of Applied Chemistry near Moscow, which produces warheads for Shahed drones. Ukrainian forces utilized advanced drones with hybrid designs combining features of Iranian Shahed and Israeli IAI Harop drones to increase stability and precision, exemplified in strikes on the Azov Optical-Mechanical Plant in Rostov, a key site manufacturing optics and electronic components for Russian weaponry. The new R34-T drone, equipped with a laser guidance system, was officially commissioned by Ukraine's Ministry of Defense to enhance accuracy and reduce risks in combat operations. Videos and eyewitness accounts show significant damage to these facilities despite Russian claims of intercepting many drones, with collateral damage reported in nearby residential areas. Ukrainian drone operations are increasingly sophisticated, involving multi-domain tactics such as launching aerial drones from maritime platforms, and have successfully destroyed Russian radar systems. These strikes demonstrate Kyiv's strategic focus on crippling Russia's war-making capacity deep inside its territory while adapting drone technology for precision and resilience against electronic warfare.