In a targeted operation aimed at reducing russia's offensive capabilities, Ukrainian drone units struck a critical military-industrial complex in the Lipetsk region of russia overnight on July 3, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed. The facility, identified as the Energiya plant in the city of Yelets, plays a significant role in supporting russia's precision weapons systems through the production of specialized batteries and power units.
The strike was carried out by Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces in coordination with other branches. Ukrainian officials confirmed that the plant was involved in the serial production of power systems for guided aerial munitions, including universal planning and correction modules. These modules convert standard unguided bombs into glide bombs with extended range and enhanced accuracy, a capability increasingly used by russian forces on the battlefield.
Read more: What's So Critical is Manufactured at Energiya Plant That Ukrainian Drones Strike it Twice
Importantly, the Energiya facility also manufactures batteries and energy units for high-value strategic weapons. These include the Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile system and the Kh-35U sea-launched cruise missiles. These missile systems have been repeatedly used against Ukraine, causing damage to infrastructure and civilian areas.
Reports indicate that several explosions occurred on the premises of the plant, and the production processes have been halted. While detailed damage assessments are ongoing, the strike represents a meaningful disruption to russia's ability to manufacture and sustain its precision-guided munitions.
The attack underscores Ukraine's evolving drone capabilities and its strategy of targeting the logistical and technological backbone of russian war effort. Rather than merely focusing on frontline engagements, Kyiv continues to hit strategic facilities deep inside russian territory to erode its adversary's long-term war potential.
This strike follows a series of similar Ukrainian operations that aim to degrade the military-industrial output of the russian Federation. These attacks are part of a broader campaign to deny the Kremlin the resources needed to sustain its full-scale invasion.
As Defense Express previously reported, the Energiya plays a vital role in russia’s war machine by producing chemical power supplies for the UMPK universal planning and correction modules, which retrofit free-falling bombs into precision-guided glide munitions with extended range.
Read more: Ukraine's Strike on Energiya Plant as the Counter to russian Glide Bombs and Reflection of WW2 Tactics
