During this week, the Defense Forces of Ukraine struck two Russian aviation factories that support the Russian war machine. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, strikes have been carried out against five such strategic facilities in total.
Systematic strikes on these strategic enterprises not only inflict long-term losses on Russia, which cannot be quickly compensated due to sanctions and the shortage of specialized aviation components, but also disrupt logistics and reduce the capabilities of the Russian military-industrial complex and its war economy, pressuring Russian forces to end the war against Ukraine.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reports on which aviation factories were targeted in Russia and their role in the war against Ukraine.
123rd Aircraft Repair Plant
On March 17, Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the 123rd Aircraft Repair Plant in Staraya Russa (Novgorod region, Russia).
Role in the war against Ukraine: This plant specializes in full-cycle repair and modernization of military transport aircraft and their components, particularly Il-76 aircraft, which Russia actively uses for logistics, transporting military cargo, and personnel.
Strike impact: The hangar for servicing Il-76 and L-410 aircraft was damaged.
Aviastar Aircraft Plant
On March 16, Defense Forces units struck the infrastructure of the Aviastar Aircraft Plant near Ulyanovsk (Ulyanovsk region, Russia).
Role in the war against Ukraine: The enterprise is part of the United Aircraft Corporation (Rostec structure) and produces military transport aircraft Il-76MD-90A, tanker aircraft Il-78M-90A, and services heavy transport aircraft An-124 “Ruslan.” These transport aircraft play a key role in the logistics of the Russian army during the war against Ukraine, enabling the transfer of troops, equipment, and weapons.
Strike impact: The climate-controlled hangar and aircraft parking areas were damaged, and several aircraft on-site sustained varying degrees of damage.
Lukhovitsy Aircraft Plant named after Voronin
On the night of July 11, 2025, units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ unmanned systems, in coordination with other components of the Defense Forces, struck the Lukhovitsy Aircraft Plant named after Voronin, a branch of JSC RSK “MiG” near Lukhovitsy (Moscow region, Russia).
Role in the war against Ukraine: The plant performs the full range of work—from machining parts to final assembly, flight testing, and delivery of Russian MiG combat aircraft used to strike Ukraine.
Strike impact: Explosions and a fire were recorded on the premises.
Smolensk Aircraft Plant
On the night of January 21, 2025, the Defense Forces, including unmanned systems and Special Operations Forces, struck the infrastructure of JSC Smolensk Aircraft Plant near Smolensk (Smolensk region, Russia).
Role in the war against Ukraine: The plant repairs and modernizes combat aircraft, including Su-25 attack aircraft used by Russian forces on the frontlines. It also produces components for precision weapons, including X-101 and X-59 cruise missiles.
Strike impact: Explosions were reported across the plant territory.
Aircraft Repair Plant “TANTK named after G. M. Beriev”
On the night of November 25, 2025, units of the Missile and Artillery Forces, in coordination with Special Operations Forces, the Navy’s Coastal Missile Forces, and unmanned systems, struck the TANTK aircraft repair plant near Taganrog (Rostov region, Russia). A second strike occurred on the night of November 29.
Role in the war against Ukraine: The plant repairs and modernizes A-50 aircraft—the “eyes” of Russian aviation conducting long-range radar reconnaissance. It also services Russian strategic bombers Tu-95MS, which attack Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Strike impact: Numerous explosions and significant fires were observed. An experimental A-60 aircraft was damaged. During the second strike, the Tu-95 aircraft repair workshop caught fire.
