Ukrainian forces have successfully targeted the Bolkhov semiconductor plant in Russia’s Oryol Oblast, a vital facility producing components for the Russian military’s missile and aircraft systems. The plant, located approximately 170 kilometres northeast of the Ukrainian border, manufactures parts used in Sukhoi warplanes, Iskander and Kinzhal ballistic missiles, and other key military hardware.
The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed the strike, which follows Russian claims that over 150 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight across several regions, including 53 in Oryol Oblast. Initially, the regional governor Andrey Klychkov reported no casualties or significant damage, but later admitted that both the semiconductor plant and several nearby residential buildings had been hit.
The Bolkhov plant is one of Russia’s top producers of semiconductor devices, focusing on diodes, microcircuits, optoelectronic switches, and “eternal batteries” used in military systems. These products are essential for communication, control, electronic warfare, and simulators for tanks and missile systems. Despite sanctions imposed by the United States since last year due to its role in the Russian military-industrial complex, the plant reportedly continues to produce nearly three million devices annually.
Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council’s Centre for Countering Disinformation, explained that the factory supplies at least 19 Russian facilities involved in the production of T-72B3 and T-90M tanks, self-propelled howitzers, Iskander and Kh-101 missiles, and electronic warfare systems such as Krasukha and Zhitel. It also supports tactical communication systems used in army-level operations.
Kovalenko revealed that despite Western sanctions, the Bolkhov plant manages to import advanced technologies through third countries and parallel import schemes, sourcing components from Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and even the United States.
