Three killed in Ukrainian drone attack on central Russia

 Three killed in Ukrainian drone attack on central Russia

A Ukrainian drone attack has struck deep into central Russia, killing three and injuring 35 in the city of Izhevsk. The attack targeted the Kupol Electromechanical Plant, a facility critical to Russia’s military production. Located over 1,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, the plant produces Tor and Osa surface-to-air missile systems, radar stations, and has developed drones.

The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) reportedly carried out the attack using two long-range drones launched from 1,300 kilometers away. A Ukrainian official claimed the strike was meant to weaken Russia's military supply chains and show that no part of Russia is safe for its war infrastructure.

Video footage verified by the BBC showed an explosion on a building’s roof followed by black smoke billowing over the factory area. This is the second Ukrainian drone strike on the Kupol plant; the previous one in November caused no casualties.

Russian officials, including the governor of Udmurtia, confirmed the number of dead and wounded, with ten reported to be seriously injured. President Vladimir Putin has been briefed on the situation.

In response to the attack, temporary flight restrictions were imposed at Izhevsk airport, later lifted after a few hours. This attack underscores Ukraine’s growing use of long-range drone capabilities to strike inside Russian territory and disrupt its military supply lines.

The attack also represents a significant psychological blow, showing that even central Russian cities are within reach of Ukrainian military operations.

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While Ukraine targets Russia's military infrastructure, Moscow has escalated its attacks on Ukrainian cities. Over the weekend, Russia launched a record 537 drones and missiles on multiple targets across Ukraine, including Kyiv and the western city of Lviv.

Ukraine continues to suffer casualties from these strikes. President Volodymyr Zelensky recently awarded the title "Hero of Ukraine" posthumously to an F-16 pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustymenko, who died defending against one such aerial assault.

On the ground, Russia’s offensive in the Sumy region has reportedly stalled, but there is renewed activity in eastern Ukraine. Russian media report that Moscow's forces may have captured a village in the Dnipropetrovsk region, although this remains unconfirmed.

Despite ongoing combat, diplomatic efforts persist. Two rounds of U.S.-backed talks between Russia and Ukraine have occurred since May but have yielded no progress. President Putin said last week that Russia is open to new talks, but claimed the two sides' proposals are “absolutely contradictory.”

Zelensky dismissed Putin’s remarks, accusing him of stalling diplomacy for over six months and preparing for broader military action. Zelensky warned that Russia may even be planning operations beyond Ukraine, into European countries.

U.S. envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, echoed Zelensky’s concerns. He accused Russia of using peace talks as a delay tactic while continuing to target civilians.

Moscow denied the allegations, saying it is not stalling negotiations and expressed gratitude to the U.S. for supporting continued dialogue.

Despite the war’s third year now underway, there remains no sign of a breakthrough. The battlefield remains volatile, with both military and diplomatic fronts intensifying.