(SAMARA, SAMARA OBLAST, RUSSIA) – Ukrainian missiles have struck the Progress Rocket and Space Centre in Samara, seriously damaging a unique facility used to produce Soyuz-2.1b carrier rockets for Russian military satellites, according to footage released by the Anna from Ukraine channel on 15th August 2026.
The strike targeted the production complex responsible for manufacturing the microelectronics that guide Soyuz rockets. The facility is the only enterprise in Russia capable of serial assembly of the Soyuz-2 family of carrier rockets.
These rockets are used to launch Russian spy satellites and military satellites into orbit. The Kremlin is reportedly seeking to develop a satellite internet programme called Rassvet, intended as a substitute for Starlink.
Such a development would pose a serious threat not only to Ukraine but to the wider democratic world. It is impossible to target satellites once they are in space, as doing so would endanger other satellites and the planet. Neutralising the launchers before satellites can be deployed is therefore a strategically sound decision.
According to confirmed satellite imagery, the Ukrainian strike destroyed the part of the production facility responsible for the microelectronics that control rocket navigation and keep systems operational. Any rocket without this essential component is worthless.
Russian sources have acknowledged the severity of the damage. The loss of this production capability could delay the deployment of the Rassvet satellite constellation.
Ukrainian missiles also struck the Savasleyka military airbase in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. The base is home to Russian MiG-31K aircraft capable of carrying Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles, which have been used against Ukrainian cities.
The attack caused significant damage to the airbase. Further satellite imagery is awaited to assess the full extent of aircraft losses. The strike on Savasleyka is expected to save numerous innocent lives by reducing Russia’s capacity to launch missile attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.
The successful targeting of strategic Russian facilities represents a significant development. Just two years ago, any attack on Russian territory seemed impossible. Ukrainian drones first broke that psychological barrier, and now Ukrainian produced missiles are striking targets deep inside Russia.
Ukraine has achieved this despite not producing its own missiles before the full scale invasion. The country developed its missile programme under constant attack, pressure, blackouts and internal betrayal.
The strikes on Samara and Savasleyka represent a serious humiliation for the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Space rocket centres have been strategic sites since the beginning of Soviet space programmes. The fact that Ukrainian produced missiles are now destroying them, after four and a half years during which Ukraine was supposed to cease existing, is a significant blow.
Russian officials, including former president Dmitry Medvedev, have repeatedly spoken about the need to destroy other countries’ satellites and commit crimes in space. The Rassvet programme would provide Russia with a constellation of satellites capable of observing Ukraine, the United States and other countries.
Ukraine, as a country without a space programme, cannot counter such satellites once they are in orbit. Destroying the production capability for the rockets that launch them is therefore essential.
The weapons used in these strikes were all developed after the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin began the so called special military operation to demilitarise Ukraine. This serves as a clear illustration of the failure of that operation.
Be First to Comment