Russia’s Iskander-M Missile Production Takes a Hit as Ukraine Strikes Key Factory Near St. Petersburg

Ukrainian Defense Forces struck a Russian defense industry facility near St. Petersburg that produces solid-propellant charges for Iskander-M ballistic missiles, damaging three production workshops, Ukraine’s General Staff reported on November 9.

The strike targeted the Morozov Plant, a facility involved in the production of explosives and missile propulsion components. According to the General Staff, the attack took place overnight on November 9, with the extent of the damage still being assessed.

The plant is part of Russia’s state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec and plays a role in supplying components for the country’s ballistic missile arsenal.

In particular, the facility manufactures and supplies solid-propellant charges for the 9Kh820 engines used in Russia’s 9M723 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, which Russian forces have repeatedly deployed in attacks against Ukrainian cities.

The enterprise has also developed solid rocket fuel for the engines of Russia’s Topol-M missile systems, underscoring its role in the country’s broader missile production industry.

“Every such strike makes it more difficult for Russia to produce missiles for its Iskander systems, which it uses to attack Ukrainian cities. The supply chain is disrupted at its earliest stage, long before the missiles reach their launchers,” General Staff added.

Russia’s Iskander missile system is widely used to carry out short-range ballistic missile strikes on Ukrainian cities and military facilities. The Iskander-M variant has an operational range of approximately 500 kilometers.

The strike comes as Russia continues to rely on its Iskander missile systems to conduct ballistic missile attacks against Ukrainian cities and military facilities. The Iskander-M variant has an operational range of approximately 500 kilometers.

Russia has also been developing more advanced versions of its ballistic missiles to extend their strike capabilities. On August 27, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence reported that Moscow had deployed its latest 9M723-2 ballistic missile, commonly known as the Iskander-1000, against Kyiv for the first time during a combined attack on the Ukrainian capital earlier this summer.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, the upgraded missile offers a significantly greater operational range than the earlier 9M723-1 missile used by Russia’s Iskander-M system.

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