Three people have been killed and 35 taken to hospital following an attack by Ukraine on a factory in the city of Izhevsk - more than 1,000km (620 miles) from the border, Russian authorities say. Of those injured ten had suffered serious injuries, the governor of Udmurtia Aleksandr Brechalov said, adding he had briefed President Vladimir Putin on the attack. Drones reportedly targeted the Kupol Electromechanical Plant - a military factory which is said to produce Tor surface-to-air missile systems and radar stations. The plant also specialises in the production of Osa air defence systems and has developed drones, according to Ukrainian media. An Ukrainian official confirmed to BBC Ukraine that two long-range drones operated by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) struck the Kupol plant from a distance of around 1,300 km (807 miles). "Each such special operation reduces the enemy's offensive potential, disrupts military production chains and demonstrates that even deep in Russia's rear, there are no safe zones for its military infrastructure," the source said in comments reported by Ukrainian media. A video posted on social media and verified by the BBC showed an explosion on the roof of a building, followed by a large plume of black smoke rising over a factory-type chimney. Russia's civil aviation regulator Rosaviatsia imposed restrictions on operations at Izhevsk airport, before lifting them a few hours later. This is second Ukrainian drone attack on the Kupol factory since November - although that strike had not resulted in any casualties. For its part, Moscow continues to carry out attacks in Ukraine. At the weekend Russia launched a record 537 drones and missiles on various locations across the country, including Kyiv and the western city of Lviv. On Monday Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky granted the Hero of Ukraine award posthumously to an F-16 pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustymenko, who was killed while trying to repel the aerial attack. On the battlefield, whileRussia's advance on the Sumy region seems to have stalled, Moscow appears to be targeting the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region. Unconfirmed reports in Russian media suggested Moscow's forces took control of the first village in the region. Two rounds of talks aimed at agreeing a ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow have taken place at the behest of US President Donald Trump since May, but have failed to produce tangible results. Last week, President Putin said Russia was ready to hold a new round of peace negotiations although he said that the Russian and Ukrainian peace proposals were "absolutely contradictory". On Monday Zelensky again expressed scepticism of Putin's intentions. "Putin has already stolen practically half a year from diplomacy... on top of the entire duration of this war," the Ukrainian leader said. "Russia is not changing its plans and is not looking for a way out of this war. On the contrary, they are preparing for new operations, including on the territory of European countries." US senior envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg echoed this on Monday, when he wrote on X that Russia could not "continue to stall for time while it bombs civilian targets in Ukraine". Moscow swiftly pushed back, saying it was not "interested in stalling anything" and thanking the US for its support.
Three killed in Ukrainian drone attack on central Russia
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"Ukrainian Drone Strike on Factory in Izhevsk Results in Three Deaths"
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TruthLens AI Summary
In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, a drone attack by Ukrainian forces on the Kupol Electromechanical Plant in Izhevsk has resulted in the deaths of three individuals and left 35 others injured, according to Russian authorities. The plant, located over 1,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, is known for producing military equipment, including Tor surface-to-air missile systems and Osa air defense systems. The governor of Udmurtia, Aleksandr Brechalov, confirmed that ten of the injured suffered serious conditions and reported the incident to President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian officials stated that two long-range drones were used in the attack, which was aimed at disrupting military production and diminishing Russia's offensive capabilities. A video verified by the BBC depicted an explosion at the factory, followed by a large plume of smoke, highlighting the attack's severity and implications for Russian military infrastructure.
This drone strike marks the second attack on the Kupol factory since November, although the previous incident did not result in casualties. In retaliation, Russia has continued its offensive in Ukraine, launching a record number of drones and missiles against various targets, including major cities like Kyiv and Lviv. Amid these developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed skepticism regarding Russia's willingness to engage in genuine peace negotiations, criticizing President Putin for his lack of commitment to diplomacy. Despite recent talks facilitated by the United States, no substantial progress has been made towards a ceasefire. As the conflict persists, both nations remain entrenched in their positions, with Russia reportedly preparing for further military operations, raising concerns about the potential for an expanded conflict beyond Ukraine's borders.
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