Dozens of drones attack Russia. Rostov arms plant struck (VIDEO)

The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting and destroying 48 Ukrainian drones, including:

• 26 over Rostov Oblast,
• 12 over Kursk Oblast,
• 6 over Belgorod Oblast,
• 3 over Oryol Oblast,
• 1 over Lipetsk Oblast.

The acting governor of Rostov Oblast, Yuri Slusar, stated that drones were neutralized in Azov, Rostov-on-Don, Novoshakhtinsk, Shakhty, and the Azov, Myasnikovsky, Kamensky, Oktyabrsky, Millerovsky, and Tarasovsky districts.

In Shakhty, the attack caused a power outage at a transformer substation, and windows in nearby buildings were damaged, but no casualties were reported, according to Slusar.

Meanwhile, Telegram channels circulated footage showing smoke over the Azov Optical-Mechanical Plant, which was reportedly hit.

“This facility manufactures critical components for the Russian military: sights, rangefinders, thermal imagers, and fire control systems for tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, ships, and aircraft. This is where the ‘eyes’ for Russian armored vehicles are assembled,” wrote Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council.

Warning! Profanity!

The head of Russia’s Udmurt Republic, Alexander Brechalov, reported repelling a third drone attack in a week, with at least two drones neutralized, one targeting the city of Izhevsk.

This marks the third attack on the region in a week. On July 1, drones struck Izhevsk, targeting the Kupol plant, which produces Tor and Osa air defense systems, onboard missile equipment, training complexes, and drones. According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate portal “War and Sanctions,” the plant is under international sanctions as part of Russia’s military-industrial complex.

Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed precise strikes on Building No. 1 at the Kupol plant’s Site No. 1, where a fire was reported. The attack was carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine in coordination with other Defense Forces units. Local authorities reported three deaths and 35 injured from the attack.

On July 3, Brechalov reported another drone attack on an unspecified facility outside Izhevsk, with one drone hitting a technical building.