On the night of April 19, Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck the Russian defense enterprise “Atlant Aero,” which produces strike and reconnaissance drones. At the same time, Ukrainian forces hit several other enemy targets.
“Atlant Aero”
Ukraine’s General Staff reported the attacks. According to the military, Ukrainian units targeted facilities located both in Russia and in temporarily occupied territories. In particular, Ukrainian forces struck “Atlant Aero,” a Russian defense-industrial enterprise in Taganrog, Rostov region. As a result, a fire broke out on the site.
The facility produces strike-reconnaissance UAVs known as “Molniya.” Moreover, it carries out the full cycle of design, manufacturing, and testing. The plant also produces components for the “Orion” UAV. The “Orion” weighs about one ton and can carry up to 250 kilograms of payload. For example, it can include aerial imaging systems, electronic intelligence modules, and optical equipment. In addition, the drone can carry guided aerial bombs (KAB-20), as well as missiles such as Kh-50.
Therefore, the strike on the facility will likely reduce Russia’s ability to produce UAVs. As a result, Russian forces may have fewer resources to attack Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.
Other strikes
The General Staff also reported additional hits. Ukrainian forces struck an ammunition depot in the temporarily occupied part of Zaporizhzhia region (Trudove). They also targeted logistics warehouses in occupied areas of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. In addition, Ukrainian units hit fuel storage tanks near Novopoltavka in Zaporizhzhia region.
Furthermore, the General Staff clarified results of a previous strike on an oil refinery near the Russian city of Tuapse. Ukrainian forces damaged a primary oil processing unit (AVT-12) and large storage tanks (RVS-10000). Consequently, a fire broke out. At the oil terminal, the strike damaged loading equipment, buildings, and fuel tanks.
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that on April 18 Ukrainian forces attacked key oil refineries in Russia’s Samara region, as well as strategic ports. As a result, the operation significantly limited Russia’s export capacity.
