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Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Missile Plant in Cheboksary Supplying Iskander, Kalibr, and Shahed Systems
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
A precision Ukrainian drone strike targeted a key Russian electronics manufacturer involved in producing modules for Shahed-type suicide drones, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on June 9.
The attack occurred early in the morning of June 9, 2025, striking the grounds of the VNIIR-Progress plant in Cheboksary, Chuvash Republic, Russia.
The facility, which is part of the privately owned ABS Electro group, was temporarily shut down following the strike after a fire broke out in one of the buildings.
Regional governor Oleg Nikolayev confirmed that two drones had crashed on the factory’s premises, prompting a halt in operations.
“Two UAVs fell on the territory of JSC VNIIR, in connection with which a responsible decision was made to suspend production to ensure the safety of employees temporarily,” Nikolayev stated.
The Ukrainian open-source research group “CyberBoroshno” claimed the strike was carried out by two AN-196 Liutyi drones that flew approximately 975 kilometers from Ukraine’s border to reach their target.
In addition, the head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation, Andrii Kovalenko, confirmed the attack. He stated, “Something struck the Progress plant in Cheboksary—a facility directly involved in Russia’s missile production cycle, including the Iskander system.”
He wrote that this factory is where electromechanical drives, hydraulic systems, and control units are manufactured for heavy combat equipment ranging from self-propelled howitzers to Iskander missile complexes, and said that without these components, the missiles cannot reach their targets.
“Progress factory is responsible for producing guidance, stabilization, and flight control systems that are integrated into strike platforms during the assembly stage. The plant also manufactures Kometa-type modules—Russian satellite navigation units that support GLONASS/GPS functionality and feature anti-jamming protection,” Kovalenko wrote.
Those modules are used in Iskander-M tactical ballistic missiles, Kalibr cruise missiles, Kh-101 and Kh-69 air-launched missiles, UMPK-guided glide bombs, and drones such as Orlan-10, Lancet, and newer variants of Shahed, he added.
Kovalenko stated that “as of now, the Progress plant in Cheboksary halts its operations for an unknown time.”
The VNIIR-Progress plant, located in Cheboksary, specializes in the production of GNSS receivers and antennas for satellite navigation systems such as GLONASS, GPS, and Galileo.
The company also manufactures electrical components for the Russian Navy, including automatic circuit breakers, relays, and contactless modules used aboard various vessels—most notably, the Yasen-M-class nuclear-powered submarines.
In addition to its role in military drone production, VNIIR-Progress develops software hardware systems for shipbuilding, energy infrastructure, and heavy industry. These include SCADA systems, programmable electric drives, and SDR radio systems. The plant’s profile also includes applied computer technology, electronic modules, and components for integrated microelectronics.
Photos shared by CyberBoroshno show the building damaged in the strike and highlight the deep reach of the drone operation into central Russia.
Earlier, a series of drone strikes targeted the Azot chemical plant in Russia’s Tula region, causing multiple explosions and a fire at the facility.
Residents reported hearing between five and eight loud blasts, followed by a large fire on the premises. The governor of Tula region later confirmed the incident, attributing the blaze to debris from a downed drone.
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
