(TAGANROG, ROSTOV OBLAST) – Ukrainian forces struck the city of Taganrog with missiles overnight, hitting the Beriev aviation plant and the Atlant Aero drone factory, according to reports. The attack, which reportedly involved missiles rather than drones, marks the second strike on the Atlant facility in four days.
The Beriev plant is a major Russian repair facility carrying out maintenance on aircraft, and is the only facility in Russia capable of repairing the A-50 AWACS aircraft. Russia has only a handful of A-50s still in service, and they are ageing airframes used to coordinate air defence of key areas. These aircraft are often seen in the air during Ukrainian drone and missile strikes. The plant also carries out repair and maintenance for the 295 Bear and 2142 maritime patrol aircraft.
NASA Firms data showing heat spots from the strikes indicates a sizable fire around the area of the Atlant Aero facility and a sizable fire burning at Taganrog air base. However, no fire is shown at the Beriev plant, located near the lower runway. NASA Firms is not entirely accurate, and video filmed from near the Beriev plant suggests it was definitely hit, though it is not showing up on Firms data for whatever reason.
The Atlant facility, a nearby drone factory, was hit four days ago. Satellite imagery shows three newly constructed manufacturing workshops were struck. The most recent strike overnight is believed to be finishing off the rest of these. The factory produces the cheap Molniya decoy drone and the more high-end and important Orion attack drone, which is essentially Russia’s version of the Bayraktar. This makes it an important target.
Taganrog has been attacked frequently in recent days. A Russian Telegram page reported on 12th September that Taganrog now has no dedicated Pantsir or S-300 SAM systems because they have been destroyed by Ukraine. On 12th September, the last SAM system there, a Pantsir, was destroyed. That system, the Telegram page reported, had only just returned from repairs following a previous strike.
As of 13th September, the page reports, there are zero operational Pantsirs, S-300s, or S-400s there. This is a significant sign that Russian air defence systems are getting stretched, and if Russia is unable to replace them in adequate numbers, this is the time for Ukraine to hit the area hard. The strikes on the drone factory and the repair facility appear to have done just that.
There is also an air base and a transport base in Taganrog. Further strikes may be expected while the city’s air defences remain down.
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