UKRAINE used long-range missiles today to target a major military-linked city in Russia.

The strikes hit Taganrog, in Rostov region, causing ten loud explosions and bright flashes.

Initial reports said there were two possible targets.

One is the Beriev Aircraft Company, which maintains some of Vladimir Putin’s most sensitive planes.

The other is the Krasny Hydropress plant, which makes key missile elements and is part of Russia’s Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation.

Vladimir Putin’s ‘Flying Kremlin’ Doomsday Ilyushin Il-80 Maxdome plane – for use in nuclear war – is maintained at the Beriev plant.

It also equips Russia’s A-50 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) spy planes – two of which have been downed in the war at a cost of £260 million each.

A large number of fire trucks were reported heading to the plant and at least ten explosions were heard by locals.

While the scale of the damage is currently unclear, 14 cars parked at the facility – also known as the Beriev Aviation Scientific and Technical Complex – were set ablaze.

Some Russian sources said Ukraine had used its new domestically made Palyanitsa drone missiles to attack Taganrog, but this was unconfirmed.

Other reports said US-supplied ATACMS missiles were used.
Taganrog mayor Svetlana Kambulova said: “The damaged area has been cordoned off by police officers.

“A survey of the territory within a radius of 1 kilometre will be conducted.”

Acting governor of the Rostov region Yuriy Slyusar admitted an industrial enterprise was damaged but gave no details.

He said: “According to preliminary data, no one was hurt.

“The extent of the damage is being clarified.”

In the attack, reports said 27 residential blocks had been plunged into cold after a hot water and heating supply plant had been hit.

The aircraft plant is seen as crucial to Putin’s war effort, overhauling aircraft used by the airforce and navy as well as special purpose planes like the Il-80 Maxdome and A-50 Airborne Early Warning and Control planes.

Separately, a major oil production facility caught fire in Bryansk border region in another Ukrainian attack.

The Druzhba oil pipeline loading point in the village of Sven near Bryansk was on fire.

A giant explosion and fireball was seen in videos.

Ten aircraft-type strike drones were reported to have been involved in attacks on Bryansk region.

The Druzhba oil pipeline is crucial to supplies of oil from Russia to Europe, and is still partially operational despite Western sanctions over the war.

Some reports suggested the fire broke out after an attack on a production facility nearby.