Ukrainian Drone Strike Hits Russian Defense Institute That Created Spetsnaz’s Signature Vintorez Rifle

A fire was reported at Russia’s Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering (TsNIITochMash), the developer of the VSS Vintorez sniper rifle widely used by Russian Spetsnaz  units, following an overnight drone attack in the Moscow region on July 20.

According to geolocation analysis published by the independent Russian outlet ASTRA, videos and photographs circulating online were geolocated to the Klimovsk district of Podolsk, where the Rostec-owned defense research institute is located.

Footage from multiple locations showed thick black smoke rising from the area after the reported strike. Russian authorities had not officially confirmed damage to the facility at the time of publication.

ASTRA said OSINT analysts identified the filming locations as Industrialnaya Street and the Koledino logistics complex, both situated near TsNIITochMash, concluding that the fire originated on the institute’s premises.

TsNIITochMash is one of Russia’s principal defense research and development centers and is part of the state-owned Rostec corporation. The institute develops small arms, ammunition, military equipment, and other defense technologies for the Russian Armed Forces and security services.

Among its best-known products are the Ratnik soldier combat system, the AS Val suppressed assault rifle, the VSS Vintorez sniper rifle, and the SR-1 Gyurza self-loading pistol.

The VSS Vintorez is one of the most recognizable weapons used by Russian special operations forces.

Developed by TsNIITochMash in the 1980s for covert missions, the integrally suppressed rifle fires subsonic 9×39 mm ammunition, allowing operators to engage targets with a significantly reduced acoustic signature while retaining the ability to penetrate body armor at combat ranges.

Originally designed for Soviet special services, the rifle entered service in the late 1980s and has since been widely fielded by Russian Spetsnaz formations, including units of the GRU , the Federal Security Service (FSB), and OMON . The weapon has been used in wars ranging from the Russian-Chechen wars and the Russo-Georgian War to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Beyond small arms development, TsNIITochMash also participates in Russia’s defense-industrial supply chain by producing specialized transport containers for 152 mm Krasnopol-M2 guided artillery ammunition. According to OSINT Varta, the institute additionally develops materials and technologies for Russia’s energy and nuclear sectors.

The institute is under sanctions imposed by the European Union, the United States, Ukraine, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, and New Zealand over its role in supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex.

The reported strike on TsNIITochMash came during a broader overnight drone attack across the Moscow region. The strikes ignited fires at an oil depot in Podolsk and several major logistics hubs, including Wildberries' largest sorting center in Koledino, the Yuzhnye Vorota logistics park, and the Grivno industrial complex. Moscow region officials claimed that more than 400 drones targeted the region during the attack.

Protect Ukrainian Skies

Subscribe to Sky Defense