Ukrainian drones target Russian gunpowder factory once more
In Kotovsk, located in the Tambov region about 310 miles from the Ukrainian border, Russia has one of the largest gunpowder factories. This facility produces gunpowder for firearms and artillery ammunition. On Thursday morning, it was targeted again by Ukrainian drones, according to Ukrainian military intelligence.
The gunpowder factory in Kotovsk has been in operation for over a hundred years. It produces more than 200 gunpowder types, including cartridges, hand grenades, artillery ammunition, and mortars.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, these facilities have increased their production capacity by one-third. Therefore, it is not surprising that the factory has become a target for Ukrainian attacks.
The latest attack occurred at dawn on Thursday. According to Russian accounts, it was a special operation by Ukrainian intelligence, which sent two kamikaze drones there. "One of the kamikaze drones hit the gunpowder factory," an intelligence representative told Ukrainska Pravda.
"Currently, the hit's effects, the damage's extent, and information about enemy losses are being assessed," he added.
Situation under control
Officially, the head of the Tambov region, Maksym Yehorov, denies the information about the drone strike on the gunpowder factory. He stated that "both UAVs were destroyed. There are no casualties or damage. The situation is under control."
However, residents posted videos online in which the impact of one of the kamikaze drones is visible, followed by an explosion and fire on the premises.
This was the fourth such attack since November 2023. On November 11 last year, a drone hit one of the factory buildings and caused a fire that covered 300 square yards. A few days later, on November 15, another drone fell on the roof of the workshops and partially damaged it. A fire broke out, which was quickly extinguished. No people were present in the workshop at that time. The next attack took place on January 19. The drone, however, fell beside the factory building and did not cause any damage.
Earlier, in June 2023, an explosion occurred at the factory, killing five people. The authorities of the Tambov region informed us that it happened due to "human error" and assured us that it was neither an act of terrorism nor sabotage.
