Drones reportedly hit a Russian weapons plant near Moscow that Washington and Kyiv sanctioned

On 22 October, an explosion rocked the 75th Arsenal, a Russian weapons plant south of Moscow, according to Russian Telegram channel Astra. The site, which reportedly specializes in repairing Buk and S-300 air defense systems, is sanctioned by both Ukraine and the United States.

According to Astra, the explosion was captured on video, placing it within the facility. Residents reported multiple blasts, followed by at least three missiles. However, Astra has not confirmed the exact count of missiles.

The attack came amidst Ukraine's ongoing sanctions against Russia, with the US Treasury listing the 75th Arsenal among its sanctioned entities. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin claimed that 630 drones targeted the Moscow region over a two-hour period on 21-22 October. He stated that most drones were destroyed far out, with 163 neutralized on approach to Moscow. Two individuals were injured in Voronovo, New Moscow.

Governor of Tula Oblast, Dmitry Milyaev, said that 70 Ukrainian drones were downed by Russian air defenses in his region. In Lipetsk Oblast, Governor Igor Artamonov reported damage to private homes, apartment blocks, and a polyclinic due to a drone strike. One individual was injured and hospitalized in Lipetsk.

In recent months, Ukrainian intelligence has claimed that Russia is deploying more regiments against strike drones. In September, Ukrainian forces reportedly hit a record number of Russian air defense systems and radars, with one target located 552 kilometers away. Analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko claimed that Russia cannot replace the losses sustained by such attacks, warning that the loss of repair capacity could deepen the gap in Russia's air defense capabilities.