A fresh drone attack has struck the Kremniy EL microelectronics plant in Russia’s Bryansk region, marking the fifth recorded strike on the facility since the beginning of the Kremlin’s full invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The plant plays a critical role in producing essential components for Russia’s military hardware and weapons systems.
Kremniy EL is a cornerstone of Russia’s defence manufacturing, developing microchips and other electronics vital for an array of systems including Topol M and Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles, S300 and S400 air defence systems, Iskander missiles, Pantsir mobile units, radar technology, electronic warfare platforms, drones, and combat aircraft avionics. The frequency and targeting of this plant underscores its strategic importance within Russia’s war machine.
Ukraine’s ongoing drone campaign, part of a broader effort to undermine the Russian dictator’s military production capabilities, has also targeted various other sensitive facilities in recent months. These include drone and missile production plants in Tatarstan, Belgorod, and the Moscow region.
The Zagorsk optical mechanical plant near Moscow, which produces military-grade optics and laser guidance systems, was also hit. Damage from these drone strikes has led to fires, delays in production, and considerable losses in critical defence infrastructure, despite efforts by Russian authorities to downplay the impact.
These precision strikes behind enemy lines highlight Ukraine’s expanding capability to hit deeply within Russian territory. Ukrainian and anti-Kremlin operations are growing in sophistication and scale, revealing the deep vulnerabilities in the Russian military industrial complex.
In a further blow to the Kremlin, North Korea has now confirmed that it has sent troops to fight in the Kursk region of Ukraine alongside Russian forces. State media in Pyongyang framed this move as part of a “firm militant friendship” between North Korea and Russia. An estimated 11,000 North Korean soldiers have reportedly been deployed, including 3,000 reinforcements to cover battlefield losses.
Ukrainian sources confirm that these troops initially suffered heavy casualties due to poor equipment and lack of experience with modern warfare, especially drone tactics. However, North Korean forces have since adapted to the battlefield, raising fresh concerns for Ukraine’s defenders.
Despite these reinforcements, Ukrainian forces continue to inflict damage on Russian positions. Drone units, including the elite Prime Unit of the fifth border guard detachment, recently conducted successful strikes against Russian artillery shelters, bunkers, and personnel in the Sumy region. The strikes demonstrate Ukraine’s growing reliance on unmanned systems and modern tactics to combat the Kremlin’s larger and often poorly equipped army.
In a separate development, United States president Donald Trump has again cast doubt on his commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity, claiming that President Zelenskyy may be prepared to give up Crimea. Trump dismissed the 2014 annexation of the peninsula, blaming former president Barack Obama and current US president Joe Biden for its loss.
He also attempted to deflect blame for Russia’s full invasion in 2022, calling it “Biden’s war,” while continuing to praise the Kremlin’s strength and military capabilities despite mounting Russian casualties. Trump’s repeated equivocation on Ukraine’s sovereignty and his reluctance to criticise the Russian dictator only deepen questions about his stance on Eastern Europe and international stability.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has confirmed that it has already secured around £40 billion (approximately $50 billion) in revenue from frozen Russian assets abroad. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said the funds are being used for essential budgetary needs, the military, and recovery efforts. Kyiv remains committed to the full confiscation of Russian state assets and has proposed additional tariffs on Russian imports to support Ukraine’s long-term reconstruction.
