A drone attack on the Russian city of Shuya in the Ivanovo region appears to have directly targeted the 112th Guards Missile Brigade, which is known to be armed with Russia’s powerful Iskander missile systems. These systems have previously been used to launch attacks against Ukrainian cities, including Sumy on 13 April, according to Ukrainian intelligence and open-source investigators.
The attack, carried out by aircraft-type drones believed to be Ukrainian, marks a notable development in Ukraine’s ongoing campaign to disrupt Russian military infrastructure far from the front line. Local Russian media and the Ministry of Defence confirmed that drones entered the airspace above Shuya, a city roughly 300 kilometres northeast of Moscow.
The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that all drones were intercepted by air defence systems. However, residents reported hearing a loud explosion shortly after the interception, and debris from at least one of the drones landed just 50 metres from residential areas, raising concerns over the effectiveness of the response and the safety of civilians.
The target, the 112th Guards Missile Brigade, is Russia’s only semi-permanent tactical missile brigade currently in operation. It consists of command elements, three missile divisions, missile-technical divisions, a supply and support division, and a control battery. It is one of the key units deploying Iskander missile systems, which are capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads.
Structure of 112th Guards Missile Brigade
| Division / Unit | Function |
|---|---|
| Command | Strategic and operational control |
| 3 Missile Divisions | Deployment and launch operations |
| Missile-Technical Division | Maintenance and readiness |
| Supply and Support Division | Logistics and field support |
| Control Battery | Coordination and communication |
On the same morning, 16 April, the Russian Defence Ministry claimed its air defence forces had intercepted 26 Ukrainian drones over six regions, including Moscow, Crimea, Belgorod, Lipetsk, Kursk, and Voronezh. Earlier, the Ministry also reported two drones had been shot down in the Tula and Ryazan regions between 06:35 and 07:00 Moscow time.
Despite Russian official statements insisting all drones were destroyed, damage and explosions near critical military infrastructure in Shuya suggest Ukraine’s drone campaign is becoming more accurate and increasingly able to bypass Russian defences.
No casualties or confirmed damage have been officially reported at this time.
