Drone Strike Hits Atlant Aero Facility Linked to Molniya and Orion UAV Production in Russia’s Taganrog

Strike drones hit facilities linked to Russia’s production of combat unmanned aerial vehicles in the southern city of Taganrog, according to the OSINT community Exilenova+ on January 13.

The strike reportedly targeted the Atlant Aero plant, a company involved in the development and manufacture of Russian military drones. Air raid alerts were issued in Russia’s Rostov region at around 5:40 a.m., followed shortly by reports from regional authorities that Taganrog was under attack.

Explosions were reported at approximately 6:00 a.m., after which residents began posting videos and images on social media showing a large fire at an industrial site in the city.

Additional images circulating online appeared to show fragments of a Pantsir-S1 air-defense missile scattered on city streets, suggesting Russian air defenses were activated during the attack.

According to Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) War & Sanctions portal, Atlant Aero produces the Molniya-1 and Molniya-2 fixed-wing FPV suicide drones, as well as the reconnaissance variant Molniya-2R. These systems are widely used by Russian forces in their war against Ukraine and have also been employed in strikes on civilian areas in frontline regions.

The facility is also reported to be involved in manufacturing components for Russia’s heavy Orion strike drones and in the development and assembly of electronic warfare systems.

Rostov region governor Yuri Slyusar confirmed an ongoing air attack on Taganrog early Tuesday morning, stating that Russian air defenses were engaged.

“Air-defense forces are currently repelling an aerial attack on Taganrog. There have been no reports of civilian casualties so far. Information on damage on the ground is being clarified. I urge residents to remain cautious, follow emergency services’ instructions, avoid going outside, and stay away from windows,” Slyusar said.

Russian outlet Astra, citing local residents, reported that both the Atlant Aero facility and the Beriev Aircraft Repair Plant (TANTK, named after G.M. Beriev) were hit during the attack.

Later, Slyusar claimed that seven drones had been shot down over Taganrog and the Krasnosulinsky district, acknowledging that an industrial site in the city had sustained damage.

Drone attacks were also reported in Russia’s Lipetsk region. Governor Igor Artamonov said debris from downed drones sparked fires in the city of Yelets.

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that air defenses intercepted a total of 11 Ukrainian drones overnight, including seven over the Rostov region and others over the Belgorod, Kursk, Oryol regions, and temporarily occupied Crimea.

Earlier, satellite imagery released by a Ukrainian OSINT researcher, Dnipro Osint, confirms that Ukraine’s overnight strike on Taganrog destroyed not one, but two rare, high-value Russian aircraft at the Beriev aviation complex—one of them a one-of-a-kind laser weapons testbed.

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