Missiles Hit Energiya Plant in Yelets, Which Makes Components for Russian Missile Systems, OSINT Group Says

Missiles hit the Energiya plant in the Russian city of Yelets, in Lipetsk Oblast, on the afternoon of 25 October, according to Exilenova+, a Ukrainian OSINT community. The facility produces components used in Russian missile systems.

The analysts said several missiles struck the site and that smoke could be seen across the plant's industrial zone afterward. They believe Storm Shadow cruise missiles were probably used in the attack.

"Everything is burning there at the moment. The area around the strike has been cordoned off, and a large number of ambulances are heading to the plant," Exilenova+ said.

Lipetsk Oblast Governor Igor Artamonov also reported an attack on Yelets. He said a strike had been recorded in the city's industrial zone, but the report as relayed did not name the plant.

Energiya PJSC specialises in developing and manufacturing electrochemical power sources, including accumulators, power cells and batteries. According to the War&Sanctions project run by Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, the facility has strategic importance because its products are widely used across Russia's military-industrial complex.

The same project says the power cells and batteries made in Yelets go into a range of weapons. These include Iskander-M cruise missiles, Zircon ballistic missiles, RM-48U missiles, 95Ya6 surface-to-air missiles for Pantsir air defence systems, and Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles.

The strike followed other attacks on Russian industrial sites a day earlier. On 24 October, drones attacked the Omsky Kauchuk chemical plant in Russia, causing a fire at the facility.

On the same day, Ukraine's defence forces struck the Tolyattikauchuk plant in the Russian city of Tolyatti, in Samara Oblast. An explosion and fire were reported after the strike.