Russia’s Missile Industry Takes a Double Hit as Ukraine Strikes Two Key Plants and Military Aircraft

Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed on October 24 that Ukrainian forces struck two Russian defense-related industrial facilities and an aircraft at a military airfield, targeting production chains supporting Russia’s cruise and ballistic missile programs.

According to a statement published by the General Staff on October 24, the strikes targeted the Tolyattikauchuk chemical plant in Russia’s Samara region, the Proton-Electrotex electronics manufacturer in Orel, and an aircraft stationed at the Yeysk airfield in Krasnodar region.

The military confirmed that the main production building of Proton-Electrotex was hit. The facility manufactures optoelectronic equipment and electronic components used in Russian weapons systems, including modules for S-71 Kover air-launched cruise missiles and inverter switches for 9M723 Iskander-M ballistic missiles.

The company also participates in production chains supporting Russia’s Pantsir-S1 air defense systems and their modifications.

The General Staff said the damage could complicate the production of components for cruise and ballistic missiles used in Russian attacks against Ukrainian cities.

The strike follows reports from October 23 of explosions and smoke near the Proton-Electrotex facility in Orel. Social media accounts suggested that Ukrainian Flamingo missiles may have been involved, although the weapon used has not been officially confirmed.

Ukrainian forces also struck the Tolyattikauchuk petrochemical complex in Tolyatti overnight on October 24. The General Staff reported an explosion and fire in the vicinity of the facility.

Tolyattikauchuk manufactures synthetic rubber, monomers, hydrocarbon fractions, and high-octane gasoline additives. Some of its synthetic rubber products can be used as components in solid rocket propellants for tactical and ballistic missiles.

In addition to the industrial facilities, Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed that an aircraft was struck at the Yeysk military airfield in Russia’s Krasnodar region.The type of aircraft was not specified, and the extent of the damage remains under assessment.

The General Staff has not disclosed the weapons used in the latest operations or provided a full assessment of damage to the two industrial facilities.

The Yeysk airfield was previously targeted on August 30, when Ukrainian forces struck the facility, triggering a fire and reported secondary explosions. Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed the strike, while satellite data detected a blaze extending from the aircraft parking area toward the runway.

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