Dramatic footage shows the moment a suspected Ukrainian plane-type UAV explodes while targeting a Russian plant assembling Iranian Shahed drones used in the war.
There was a huge explosion and fireball near Yelabuga, deep in Russia, at least 660 miles from the nearest Ukrainian territory. In total three attacks were recorded in the area.
Russian sources say it hit a workers’ dormitory in the Alabuga economic zone in the Republic of Tatarstan, where the deadly Iranian drones are believed to be assembled.
It is unclear whether there was also damage to the drone manufacturing production line, but Ukraine’s military spy agency said it caused “significant damage” to a military target in the Tatarstan region.
There were scenes of panic as workers witnessed the fireball explode, with crowds of people running for cover as it crashed into the building. Six people were injured in the drone attack that hit the shelter. Three of them were sent home after being examined by doctors. Three more were hospitalized.
The military intelligence directorate of Ukraine’s GUR was behind the attack on the Shahed drone production line, RBC-Ukraine reported.
The alleged plane-type UAV, which several reports from Russia have identified as Ukrainian
A huge fireball erupts as the plane crashes into the building, which is said to be a dormitory.
A huge cloud of smoke erupts as the building is destroyed, with reports of injuries.
The unmanned aerial vehicles that participated in the attack were equipped with equipment from NATO countries, Alabuga SEZ stated, without providing evidence of this.
There were unconfirmed claims that the attack was not carried out by a drone or a small plane piloted on a suicide mission, possibly a Ukrainian A-22, or that a plane was flying on autopilot.
Readovka, a Kremlin loyalist, reported: “It is too early to conclude whether the suicide pilot was alive at the wheel or whether the plane was controlled by an autopilot.”
“In favor of the latter is the fact that the A-22 went directly and clearly to the target; such a result could not be achieved even by the Japanese kamikazes, so, apparently, we are facing a new type of long-range “kamikaze drones based on light-engine aircraft.”
One witness even asks, “Is that a plane?”
But another Russian outlet, Shot and Mash, suggested that the attack was carried out by UJ-22 airborne drones.
The head of the Tatarstan region, Rustam Minnikhanov, said: “This morning the republic’s enterprises in Elabuga and Nizhnekamsk were attacked by unmanned aerial vehicles.
“There was no serious destruction, the technological process of the companies was not disturbed…
‘There are victims as a result of the destruction of the premises. “They are being provided with all necessary assistance.”
There was also speculation of a launch within Russia or even Kazakhstan, as the distance from Ukraine seems very far for drones.
Had it flown more than 660 miles, it seems surprising that it would not be countered by Russian air defense.
A crowd of people were seen running for cover when it crashed into the building.
The Taneco oil plant in Nizhnekamsk, also in Tatarstan, was also reportedly hit by today’s shelling.
The images show him consumed by flames. Three people were reported injured.
It is the latest Russian oil refinery to be hit by Ukraine, which is said to be defying the United States by carrying out such attacks.
There are fears that the loss of Russian production capacity will cause global oil prices to rise.
The Taneco oil plant in Nizhnekamsk, also in Tatarstan, was also reportedly hit by today’s shelling.
Timur Shagivaleev, general director of the Alabuga SEZ business zone, where the drone plant is allegedly located, admitted to the attack on a hostel, a dormitory for workers.
He did not refer to damage to production facilities.
“Today at 5:45 the Alabuga shelter was attacked by two drones,” he said.
‘In fact, they are attacking shopping centers in Moscow.
‘They are attacking residential areas in Belgorod, they are attacking hostels in Alabuga.
“It is precisely against these people that we are carrying out a special military operation.”