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The night of August 11-12 saw another wave of Ukrainian drone strikes deep inside Russian territory, with UAVs targeting critical infrastructure hundreds of kilometers from the front lines. According to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Russian air defenses intercepted 38 Ukrainian drones across five regions, including a bold long-range attack on a strategic defense industry facility in Stavropol. The intensification of these strikes comes at a diplomatically sensitive moment, just days before planned talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.
The wave of attacks spanned from southwest Russia to the Volgograd region, with drones intercepted over Rostov (22), Stavropol (3), Ulyanovsk (3), Belgorod (1), and most notably Tatarstan (9), where a mass drone attack was intercepted 1,200 km inside Russia. While authorities reported no casualties and claimed normal operations at all enterprises, the geographic spread of these strikes demonstrates Ukraine’s growing capability to penetrate Russian airspace at will.
The most significant attack targeted the Monocrystal plant in Stavropol, a key producer of synthetic sapphire used in military optics, laser systems, and electronic warfare equipment. Local residents reported at least five explosions around 3 AM as air defenses engaged incoming drones. While officials claimed successful interception, photos from the scene showed fires near the facility. The plant, located 520 km from Ukrainian-controlled territory, manufactures critical components for missile guidance systems, drone cameras, and armored vehicle sensors , marking it as a high-value strategic target. Stavropol’s mayor confirmed damage to residential buildings from falling drone debris but avoided mentioning the factory strike directly. Any significant damage to the facility is yet to be confirmed.
The timing of these attacks appears calculated to maximize political impact. With Putin preparing for high-stakes negotiations with Trump, the strikes serve both military and media purposes. By demonstrating the ability to strike sensitive defense industry targets, Ukraine underscores Russia’s vulnerability despite its superior air defenses. The attack on Monocrystal specifically hits at a crucial link in Russia’s military supply chain, synthetic sapphire is essential for precision-guided munitions that Moscow has been mass-producing for its war effort.
