Russian fighter fuel factory attacked 620 miles from Ukraine

According to local Telegram channels, Ukrainian drones attacked a Russian facility in the Tver region that allegedly produces aviation fuel.

Several Russian Telegram channels reported that the Redkinski Research Facility, located about 990 kilometers from the front line in Ukraine, was a target in the early hours of Thursday morning and published footage of the attack.

The plant had already been attacked by Ukrainian drones in September 2023. At the time, the Ukrainian military intelligence service (HUR) claimed that the chemical company was producing decalin, an additive for aviation fuel.

Four drones attacked the plant, damaging the pipeline, the roof and a workshop building, independent Russian news portal ASTRA reported on Thursday, publishing videos purporting to show the moment of the attack. The clips show a cloud of smoke rising into the air.

The independent Russian news portal SOTA also reported an attack on the power plant.

“Eyewitnesses report a drone attack on the Redkinsky experimental plant in the Tver region,” SOTA said. “The plant has been attacked by drones more than once since the beginning of the war.”

Newsweek The Russian Defense Ministry asked for comment via email.

The Tver regional government said on Thursday on the Russian social media platform VKontakte that Russian air defense systems had foiled a drone attack, but did not comment on whether the Redkinsky research facility was the target.

“At about 4 a.m. on June 27, the Russian Defense Ministry’s air defense systems repelled another drone attack in the Konakovo district of the Tver region,” it said. “Specialists from the rescue service continue to work at the site where the drone debris crashed. There were no casualties.”

The Redkinsky Research Plant is located in the Konakovo district of the city of Tver.

“On behalf of the Governor of the Tver Region, Igor Rudenya, the regional departments are providing all necessary assistance to the emergency services,” the statement continued.

The Russian Defense Ministry said air defense systems shot down four drones over the Tver region, two drones over the Moscow region and one over the Belgorod region bordering Ukraine.

Rudenya confirmed the attack on the power plant last September, saying a drone was shot down and falling debris damaged a storage tank.

The HUR said in a statement at the time that Kyiv’s armed forces had struck a “blow” at the Redkinsky test facility.

“It produces decalin. It was a drone attack. There are hits and losses,” the HUR spokesman added.

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