Ukrainian drones attack 123rd Aviation Plant in Staraya Russa, Russia
Ukrainian forces attacked the 123rd Aviation Plant in Staraya Russa, Russia, in the night of 10 November. Explosions and a fire were reported on the plant's grounds, while the extent of the damage remains unconfirmed. The facility repairs military transport aircraft and A-50 airborne early-warning and control aircraft.
Pontos principais
- The attack took place in the night of 10 November at the 123rd Aviation Plant in Staraya Russa, Novgorod Region.
- Explosions were reported on the plant's grounds, followed by a fire.
- The scale of the damage has not yet been established.
- The plant repairs Il-76, Il-78 and L-410 aircraft, aviation engines and A-50 airborne early-warning and control aircraft.
- A previous attack in March 2026 damaged an A-50 undergoing maintenance and left holes in the roof of an aircraft hangar.
- Each A-50 is estimated to cost about $350 million, and only a few are reportedly operational in Russia.
- Russia's Defence Ministry said its air defences intercepted and destroyed 155 Ukrainian drones over nine Russian regions and occupied Crimea.
Porque é importante
The plant supports Russian military transport aviation used to move troops and cargo, as well as A-50 airborne early-warning and control aircraft used to detect and track aircraft and cruise missiles at distances of hundreds of kilometres. Only a few operational A-50s reportedly remain in Russia, with each aircraft valued at approximately $350 million. This was the second reported attack on the facility following a March 2026 strike that damaged an A-50 undergoing maintenance.
O que aconteceu
Ukrainian forces attacked the 123rd Aviation Plant in Staraya Russa, Novgorod Region, during the night of 10 November. Explosions occurred on the plant's grounds and were followed by a fire, according to reports and footage cited by Ukrainian outlets. The extent of damage to production facilities, maintenance hangars and aircraft remains unconfirmed. The plant is part of the Rostec state corporation through the United Aircraft Corporation and holds a Russian state defence order.
Como o descrevem as fontes ucranianas
Ukrainian sources identify the 123rd Aviation Plant as the target and emphasise its role in servicing A-50 aircraft and military transport aviation used by the Russian armed forces. They also highlight that only a few A-50s reportedly remain operational in Russia, that each aircraft costs about $350 million and that the plant has already been attacked in March 2026.
Como o descrevem as fontes internacionais
No international sources are included in the supplied material, so the comparison is limited to Ukrainian outlets citing Russian official statements and monitoring channels. The Russian position, as reported in Ukraine, describes a mass attack on the region, damage to one industrial facility and the interception of 155 drones. Ukrainian monitoring channels and witnesses reported explosions, a fire and the likely target, while Ukrainian military officials did not comment on the attack.
Onde as versões divergem
The Russian governor confirmed damage to one industrial facility but did not name the company. The Ukrainian General Staff, by contrast, reported that the 123rd Aviation Plant was hit. Some sources explicitly describe the plant as having been attacked, while others state that its status as the target had not been officially confirmed and describe it as a probable target.
Contexto
The 123rd Aviation Plant is located in the Gorodok district of Staraya Russa, approximately 60 kilometres south of Veliky Novgorod. It has its own airfield or runway, allowing heavy aircraft to land directly on its grounds for maintenance and servicing. The facility repairs Il-76, Il-78 and L-410 aircraft, aviation engines and A-50 aircraft. On the night of 9 November, Ukrainian drones attacked the Morozov Plant near Saint Petersburg, damaging three production workshops.