Ukrainian UJ-22 Airborne drones could have attacked a Russian aircraft factory where production of Kh-59 anti-ship missiles with a launch range of up to 290 km is underway

Russians report that the Smolensk plant was attacked by Ukrainian-made UJ-22 Airborne kamikaze drones. The fact of the strike itself has been officially confirmed by Ukraine.

Here's What We Know

The strike on the aircraft factory was carried out on 1 October 2023. This was announced by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. In the message of the department says about the use of four drones, three of which reached the target.

Russian propagandists confirmed the use of four UAVs (some write about five). However, Russian media say that all the drones were eliminated by electronic warfare and air defence forces.

The debris of the drones allegedly fell on the roof of the workshop and the runway of the Severny aerodrome. The Russians claim to have used UJ-22 Airborne drones. Such a UAV is capable of flying up to 800 kilometres at a speed of 120 km/h. The maximum speed is 160 km/h.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, the attack on the Smolensk plant disrupted the production of the Kh-59 air-launched anti-ship missiles. The munition exists in different modifications with a maximum launch range of 290 km.