Ukrainian drones have recently targeted and disrupted operations at a significant Russian electronics facility. On June 9, 2025, Ukrainian forces conducted a drone strike on the VNIIR-Progress plant in Cheboksary, a key manufacturer of navigation modules used in Russian missiles and drones. The attack led to the suspension of the plant’s operations, though no casualties were reported .
This strike is part of a broader strategy by Ukraine to target critical components of Russia’s military-industrial complex. For instance, in January 2025, Ukrainian drones attacked the Kremniy El microelectronics plant in Bryansk, causing significant damage and halting production. Kremniy El is a major supplier of microchips for Russian defense systems, including the Pantsir and S-500 missile systems .
These operations underscore Ukraine’s increasing capability and willingness to strike deep within Russian territory, aiming to disrupt the production of military hardware and weaken Russia’s war effort.
Production at a key electronics factory in Russia’s Chuvashia region was briefly suspended on Monday, June 9, following a Ukrainian drone strike, according to regional and military officials. The attack targeted the VNIIR factory, located roughly 600 kilometres east of Moscow.
Chuvashia’s governor, Oleg Nikolayev, confirmed that two drones had fallen on the facility’s premises, but reported no casualties. Writing on Telegram, Nikolayev stated, “This morning, Ukrainian attempts to use drones in Chuvashia were detected. Two drones fell on the territory of the VNIIR factory.”
The VNIIR factory is one of Russia’s primary producers of electronic components, and it has been linked to the production of parts used in military equipment, including drones.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence said the drones were intercepted, and that falling debris caused the damage at the facility. In contrast, Ukraine’s General Staff claimed responsibility for a direct hit on the factory, describing it as a “military-industrial complex facility, where antennas for Shahed [drones] were manufactured.”
The Iranian-designed Shahed drones have been used by Russian forces in repeated attacks on Ukrainian cities, prompting Ukraine to step up retaliatory strikes targeting Russian drone infrastructure.
“Strikes on the facilities that support the armed aggression of the Russian Federation will continue until it is completely stopped,” Ukraine’s General Staff said in a statement.
Governor Nikolayev announced that operations at the VNIIR plant had been temporarily halted as a safety measure. “The decision was taken to temporarily suspend production to ensure the safety of employees,” he said.
Russia’s defence ministry said it intercepted 49 Ukrainian drones during the night. Meanwhile, Ukraine reported that it shot down “dozens” of Russian drones over its western Rivne region.
The wave of drone activity also affected neighbouring Poland, where military authorities said fighter jets were scrambled to secure national airspace amid the cross-border tensions.