Russian Key Microelectronics Facility Suspends Operations After Drone Attack

Russia’s Bryansk-based plant ‘Kremniy El,’ which produces microelectronics for missile systems, suspended operations after an overnight drone attack, Russian media reported on January 24.

The plant's press service confirmed that operations were halted following the drone attack, according to the state-run news agency TASS. Some of the production facilities were damaged, but there were reportedly no casualties, as claimed by the media.

Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, confirmed that strategic facilities in Russia were attacked overnight, including the Kremniy El plant.

“The plant produces microelectronics for missile systems, the Pantsir air defense system, Iskander missiles, as well as for radar systems, electronic warfare, and Russian UAVs,” Kovalenko wrote. “This is at least the third attack on the facility by unknown drones,” he added.

According to the reports, the building of the regional Investigative Committee was also damaged, with the facade destroyed and windows shattered.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed that overnight, air defense systems intercepted 121 drones, with 37 intercepted over Bryansk region, 20 over Ryazan, and six over Moscow region.

Earlier on January 24, Russian media reported that fires had broken out at a local oil refinery and at the Novo-Ryazan thermal power plant due to the drone attack in Ryazan.