Ukrainian Drones Hit Russian Defense Plant Izhevsk Killing 3

Ukraine conducted a long-range drone strike on the Kupol plant in Izhevsk, Russia, a key military-industrial facility producing anti-aircraft missile systems and combat drones. The attack, carried out by Ukrainian Liutyi UAVs, caused a fire, killed three people, and injured 35 others, prompting evacuation and emergency responses including psychological support for victims. The Kupol plant is significant for assembling the Tor surface-to-air missile system and mass-producing drones like the Harpy-A1, a domestically modified version of the Iranian Shahed-136. This strike is part of Ukraine's broader drone campaign aimed at disrupting Russia's defense production, occurring amid ongoing conflict and despite diplomatic negotiations. Russia responded by shooting down dozens of drones across multiple regions and temporarily closing several airports, including Izhevsk's. The incident underscores the intensifying drone warfare between the two countries, with both sides increasingly deploying sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicles in the protracted conflict.