Ukrainian long-range missile attack hits key Russian military center where Putin’s ‘Flying Kremlin’ doomsday plane is maintained

Ukrainian long-range missiles have hit a major military center in Russia, home to Vladimir Putin’s ‘Flying Kremlin’ doomsday plane.

The attacks hit Taganrog, a city of about a quarter of a million people in the Rostov region, causing ten loud explosions and bright flashes.

Initial reports suggested there were two possible targets: the Beriev Aircraft Company, which maintains some of Putin’s most important planes, and the Krasny Hydropress factory, which makes key missile elements and is part of Russia’s Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation.

Putin’s Ilyushin Il-80 Maxdome aircraft – 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 were downed in the war at a cost of £260 million each.

It was reported that a large number of fire engines were heading to the factory and locals heard at least ten explosions.

The extent of the damage is not clear, but 14 cars parked at the facility – also known as the Beriev Aviation Scientific and Technical Complex – were set on fire.

Some Russian sources said Ukraine had used its new domestically made Palyanitsa drone missiles to attack Taganrog, but this was not confirmed.

Other reports stated that US-supplied ATACMS missiles had been used. Russia has repeatedly warned that Ukraine’s use of the weapons to attack its territory risks sparking a wider war.

The Beriev Aircraft Company, which maintains some of Putin’s most important planes, was a possible target in the attack

The loading point of the Druzhba oil pipeline in the village of Sven near Bryansk caught fire overnight, according to reports

Taganrog Mayor Svetlana Kambulova said: “The damaged area has been cordoned off by police officers.

“A survey of the area within a kilometer radius will be conducted.”

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

‘According to preliminary data, no one was injured. The extent of the damage is being clarified,” he said.

In the attack, reports said 27 residential blocks were plunged into the cold after a hot water and heating system was hit.

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

In addition, a major oil production facility in the Bryansk border area caught fire in a new Ukrainian attack.

According to reports, the loading point of the Druzhba oil pipeline in the village of Sven near Bryansk caught fire.

Video footage showed a massive explosion and fireball, and the ASTRA Telegram channel said a refinery was hit and flames leapt into the air.

Videos showed a massive explosion and fireball, and the ASTRA Telegram channel said a refinery was hit and flames leapt into the air.

It was reported that ten aircraft-type attack drones were involved in attacks on the Bryansk region

Some reports suggested that last night’s fire in Bryansk broke out following an attack on a nearby production facility

It was reported that ten aircraft-type attack drones were involved in attacks on the Bryansk region.

The Druzhba oil pipeline is fundamental to Russia’s oil supply to Europe, and is still partially operational despite Western sanctions over the war.

The Soviet-built pipeline pumps oil from fields in Western Siberia and the Caspian Sea to markets in Europe.

It runs through the Bryansk region, as well as the Baltic Pipeline System (BPS) that runs to the Baltic Sea.

The Druzhba oil pipeline is fundamental to Russia’s oil supply to Europe (photo in Hungary)

Some reports suggested that last night’s fire broke out following an attack on a nearby manufacturing facility.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its air defense units destroyed 14 Ukrainian drones in one night over the Bryansk region bordering Ukraine. It is not stated what was hit.

Bryansk Governor Alexander Bogomaz said on his Telegram channel that a production facility briefly caught fire as a result of the attack. He would not say which installation was damaged.

The Ukrainian army said in a statement that it had caused a “massive fire” at an oil depot with an attack on the Bryansk region.