Strikes on russian aircraft plants: how many targets were hit and what role they play in the war against Ukraine

During the week, the Defence Forces of Ukraine struck two russian aircraft plants that support the enemy’s war machine. In total, since the start of the full-scale invasion, five such strategic facilities have been hit.

Systematic strikes against these strategic enterprises represent not only long-term losses for russia, which cannot be quickly offset due to sanctions and shortages of specialized aviation components, but also disrupt logistics and reduce the capabilities of the military-industrial complex and the military-economic potential of the russian aggressor, thereby helping to force the enemy to end the war against Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine provides an overview of the aircraft plants struck on the territory of russia and their role in the war against Ukraine.

123rd Aircraft Repair Plant

On March 17, the Defence Forces of Ukraine struck the 123rd Aircraft Repair Plant in Staraya Russa (Novgorod Oblast, russia).

Role in the war against Ukraine. This plant specializes in the full-cycle repair and modernization of military transport aircraft and their components, including Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft, which russia actively uses for logistics and the transport of military cargo and personnel.

Strike impact. An aircraft maintenance hangar for Ilyushin Il-76 and Let L-410 aircraft was hit.

Aviastar-SP Aircraft Plant

On March 16, units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine struck infrastructure at the Aviastar-SP Aircraft Plant near the city of Ulyanovsk (Ulyanovsk Oblast, russia).

Role in the war against Ukraine. The enterprise is part of the United Aircraft Corporation (within the Rostec structure). It produces the Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A military transport aircraft and the Ilyushin Il-78M-90A tanker aircraft, and maintains the Antonov An-124 Ruslan heavy transport aircraft. These transport aircraft play a key role in the logistics of the russian army during the war against Ukraine, enabling the deployment of troops, vehicles, equipment, and weapons.

Strike impact. A climate-controlled shelter and aircraft parking areas were struck. Several aircraft at the facility sustained varying degrees of damage.

P.A. Voronin Lukhovitsky Aviation Plant

Overnight into July 11, units of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in coordination with other components of the Defence Forces of Ukraine, struck the P.A. Voronin Lukhovitsky Aviation Plant, a branch of Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG, near Lukhovitsy (Moscow Oblast, russia).

Role in the war against Ukraine. The enterprise carries out a full-cycle production process, from component machining to final assembly, flight testing, and delivery of MiG combat aircraft used for strikes against Ukraine.

Strike impact. Explosions and a fire were recorded at the facility.

JSC Smolensk Aircraft Plant

Overnight into January 21, the Defence Forces of Ukraine, including the Unmanned Systems Forces and the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, struck infrastructure at JSC Smolensk Aircraft Plant near the city of Smolensk (Smolensk Oblast, russia).

Role in the war against Ukraine. The enterprise repairs and modernizes combat aircraft, including Sukhoi Su-25 attack aircraft used by occupying forces on the front line. The enterprise also manufactures components for precision-guided munitions, including those for the Kh-101 cruise missiles and the Kh-59 missiles.

Strike impact. Explosions were recorded at the aircraft plant.

PJSC Beriev Aircraft Company (Taganrog Aviation Scientific-Technical Complex)

Overnight into November 25, units of the Missile Forces and Artillery, in coordination with the Special Operations Forces, the Naval Coastal Missile Forces of the Ukrainian Navy, and the Unmanned Systems Forces, struck the PJSC Beriev Aircraft Company (Taganrog Aviation Scientific-Technical Complex) near the city of Taganrog (Rostov Oblast, russia). A second strike was conducted overnight into November 29.

Role in the war against Ukraine. The enterprise repairs and modernizes Beriev A-50 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, the “eyes” of russian aviation, used for long-range radar surveillance. The facility also maintains Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bombers used to strike Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Strike impact. Multiple explosions and significant fires were observed at the facility. An experimental Beriev A-60 aircraft was struck. As a result of the second strike, a Tupolev Tu-95 aircraft repair workshop was on fire.