Photo: drones strike “VNIIIR-Progress” factory in Cheboksary, Russia
In Cheboksary, drones hit the “VNIIIR-Progress” enterprise during the night of Wednesday, 18 February. The factory works directly with the Russian Ministry of Defence, according to the Telegram channel ASTRA.
Early on 18 February, local residents reported multiple explosions. The governor of the Chuvash Republic, Oleg Nikolaev, confirmed the attack, adding that “there are no serious damages or casualties.”
Locals also said they saw at least three drones crash. One fell near the “Romashka” store, and another reportedly fell in the vicinity of “VNIIIR-Progress.”
ASTRA analysed eyewitness footage showing smoke after the strike. It is not yet clear what is burning, but the site is approximately 800–900 metres from the factory.
“VNIIIR-Progress” produces “Kometa” antennas for the Russian army, which protect Russian drones from Ukrainian electronic warfare systems. According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the factory also manufactures satellite GNSS receivers and antennas for GLONASS, GPS, and Galileo systems, used in Shahed-type kamikaze drones, as well as in missiles for Iskander-M, Kalibr systems, and UMKP modules for guided bombs.
ASTRA also reports that, according to the Russian Ministry of Defence, Russian air defence systems shot down 43 drones overnight: 21 over Bryansk region, 6 over Belgorod region, 6 over temporarily occupied Crimea, 5 over Kursk region, 2 over Rostov region, 2 over the Chuvash Republic, and 1 over the Black Sea.
This morning, 18 February, Cheboksary residents reported multiple explosions. The “VNIIIR-Progress” factory, producing components for Russian missiles, drones, and guided bombs, may have been hit.
Earlier incidents include explosions on 12 February in Michurinsk, Tambov region, causing a fire at the “Progress” factory, and a strike on a military facility in Kotluban, Volgograd region.
