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Drone Strike Rocks Russian Defense Hub in Tula, Multiple Explosions Reported Overnight

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Photo of Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
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Drone Strike Rocks Russian Defense Hub in Tula, Multiple Explosions Reported Overnight
Illustrative image. Employees work on the Russian BMP-2 turret at the Shcheglovsky Val machine-building plant in Tula, Russia, on December 23, 2022. (Source: Getty Images)

Russian authorities confirmed that the city of Tula—home to several defense industry facilities—came under a sustained drone attack, stated the region’s governor, Dmitry Milyayev, adding that air defense systems were actively engaged throughout the night on May 22.

According to Milyayev, the city was hit by a “massive drone attack,” and Russian air defenses were intercepting targets in what he described as the “tenth wave” of aerial strikes by 6:00 am.

Falling debris from intercepted drones caused damage to both residential and non-residential buildings in the city, the governor said.

One drone reportedly crashed into the roof of an apartment building in Tula’s Proletarsky District. No casualties have been reported.

Head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation, Andrii Kovalenko, stated that drones struck military facilities in the Russian city of Tula on May 22, 2025.

At 7:31 am, Milyayev reported that the UAV wreckage had also fallen near the “Oruzheinik” sports and fitness complex on Kutuzova Street. In response, authorities closed off a section of Kutuzova Street—from Rikhard Zorge Street to Zamesky Drive—for public safety. Emergency services were deployed to the scene.

In the lead-up to the attack, local residents had reported internet outages, and authorities closed Tula’s airspace to civilian flights at all altitudes.

This is not the first drone attack on Tula, which is home to several enterprises that are part of Russia’s defense-industrial complex.

These include the JSC “Instrument Design Bureau” (KBP), which specializes in developing precision weapons, air defense systems, anti-tank missile systems, and other military hardware.

Also located in Tula is JSC “Tula Arms Plant” (TOZ), one of Russia’s oldest weapons manufacturers, producing small arms, hunting rifles, and related products. Another major facility is JSC “NPO Splav,” which focuses on developing and producing multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) such as the Grad, Smerch, and Uragan.

Earlier, a Russian electronics factory tied to the production of components for electronic warfare systems was hit by a drone strike. The targeted facility is located in Bolkhov, Oryol region, about 190 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

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