Ukraine’s New FP-1 Drones Breach Russia’s Air Defense Shield, Striking Military Factory Just 70km From Moscow

Ukrainian long-range FP-1 drones have successfully targeted a military industrial site in Russia’s Moscow region, highlighting the increasing capability and precision of Ukraine’s unmanned aerial systems.

According to Defense Express on July 7, a drone strike hit the Krasnozavodsk Chemical Plant, located approximately 70 kilometers northeast of Moscow.

The facility is known primarily for producing 12-gauge cartridges and primers, though it has also been linked to grenade assembly and specialized pyrotechnic equipment. Since 2022, it may have expanded its output to include additional military-grade munitions.

Footage recorded by local residents captured both the drones’ approach and a series of explosions on-site. Observers counted at least seven separate detonations across the industrial complex.

Analysis of the footage allowed for the identification of the drone model involved in the strike. Ukrainian-made FP-1 drones, first publicly unveiled in May, are believed to have carried out the operation. These drones are reported to have a range of up to 1,600 kilometers and carry warheads weighing up to 120 kilograms.

The FP-1 features a twin-boom layout and an inverted V-tail design, which can resemble the earlier “Liutyi” drone at a glance. However, the FP-1 differs in key aspects, including a wider straight wing and narrower fuselage.

The drone also uses a solid-fuel booster for launch, though recent footage suggests that “Liutyi” models are now also being deployed without landing gear.

The strike is notable not only for the choice of target but also for its location. The Krasnozavodsk plant lies within the broader Moscow air defense perimeter, near the historical “Moscow Ring” — a circular highway originally built in the 1950s to support Soviet air defense logistics. This zone remains a critical part of Russia’s defensive infrastructure.

Despite this, there was no visible or audible evidence of air defense systems intercepting the drones.

Earlier on July 5, Ukrainian drones struck targets across four Russian regions, including a military airfield in Voronezh, a boiler plant in Cheboksary, and residential areas in Engels and Saratov.

The General Staff of Ukraine confirmed hits on Borisoglebsk airbase, damaging guided bomb storage and a training aircraft. A separate strike targeted the VNII R-Progress facility in Cheboksary, linked to electronic warfare components for Russian drones.

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