Ukraine launched a long-range drone strike deep into Russia on Tuesday, hitting a key missile production facility in Izhevsk and killing at least three people, in what Kyiv calls part of a broader strategy to cripple Russia’s defense industry.

The targeted facility — the Kupol plant in Udmurtia’s capital Izhevsk — produces Tor-M2 anti-aircraft missile systems and attack drones. Located more than 1,300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, the strike represents one of Ukraine’s deepest drone operations to date.

Udmurtia’s governor confirmed the casualties but did not name the plant. However, Ukrainian sources familiar with the operation identified Kupol as the target.

Kyiv Escalates Drone War Against Russian Industry

The drone campaign comes as Ukraine intensifies strikes on Russia’s military-industrial infrastructure. In recent months, Kyiv has hit missile plants, chip factories, and logistics hubs to undercut Moscow’s battlefield capabilities.

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Kupol in 2023, calling it “Russia’s leader in the production of anti-aircraft defense equipment” and citing its supply of Tor-M2 systems to the Russian military. The plant is a subsidiary of Almaz-Antey and has reportedly coordinated drone production with factories in China.

Broader Conflict and Negotiation Backdrop

The strike occurred as Russia ramped up its own missile campaign, launching a record 537 missiles and drones across seven Ukrainian regions on Sunday. Despite this escalation, direct Ukraine-Russia peace talks resumed in May for the first time in three years, but Moscow continues to reject Western ceasefire proposals.