Updated at 10:58 a.m. Kovalenko clarified that the fiber optic systems plant in Saransk suffered severe damage.
“There is now a question of potentially halting its operations,” he wrote.
The targeted facility in Saransk is a critical part of Russia’s defense industry, particularly in the field of modern military communications. The plant specializes in producing fiber optic cables and communications systems for the Russian army, including fiber-guided drones.
In Tula, the Instrument Design Bureau was attacked. This enterprise is described as “one of the flagships” of Russia’s defense sector, specializing in the development of advanced weapons systems — including anti-tank missile systems, firearms, and combat modules. These products are actively used in the war against Ukraine.
Splav enterprise — Russia’s main developer of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) — also came under attack.
“This is where Grads, Uragan, and Smerch systems were developed — all of which are used actively against Ukrainian cities and on the front lines,” Kovalenko noted.
He added that Splav is closely connected to the Rostec conglomerate and remains one of the key weapons suppliers to the Russian army.
In addition to the defense plants, two military airfields were also struck. These included the Shaikovka airfield in Kaluga Oblast, where Tu-22M3 bombers are stationed and Kh-22 missiles are stored, and the Kubinka airbase in Moscow Oblast, home to Su-27 and MiG-29 fighter jets.
On May 6, flight departures and landings were temporarily restricted in five central Russian cities due to the threat of drone attacks.
That night, Moscow and several other Russian oblasts came under drone attack.