A Ukrainian kamikaze drone strike has hit Russia’s only large-scale optical fibre manufacturing plant, located in the city of Saransk, deep within the republic of Mordovia. The strike occurred during the night of 5 April and led to an explosion at the plant, which is situated more than 1,000 kilometres from the Ukrainian border.
According to local reports and footage shared by residents on social media, the drone, identified as an aircraft-type kamikaze drone, targeted the factory which is responsible for producing the optical fibre used in Russia’s FPV (first person view) drones. These drones are currently a key component in Moscow’s military operations against Ukraine.
Artyom Zdunov, head of the Mordovia republic, confirmed the incident and stated that emergency services were working to address the aftermath of the strike. No casualties have been reported.
The factory in Saransk is Russia’s only facility producing optical fibre in significant quantities, which makes this a particularly notable blow to the Kremlin’s drone manufacturing capability. The exact extent of the damage has not yet been officially disclosed, but the disruption to this strategic asset could affect the Russian military’s battlefield effectiveness in future drone operations.
This strike follows a series of targeted attacks by Ukraine on critical infrastructure within Russian territory, particularly those supporting the country’s military-industrial complex. It reflects a growing Ukrainian effort to limit Russia’s ability to sustain prolonged aggression by cutting off the technological supply chains used in its drone warfare.
While Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility, the precision and location of the strike strongly point to its involvement. Ukrainian drone capabilities have significantly evolved during the war, with a focus on long-range, high-impact missions that challenge the sense of safety deep inside Russian territory.
