On the night of February 21, a video was released showing the Ukrainian army striking one of the most strategic objects of the Russian military-industrial complex, a facility located in the city of Votkinsk, Udmurtia, with a missile.
The video shows the missile hitting the target (one of the workshops). Earlier satellite photos showed a 30×24 meter hole in the roof of the facility, which suggests that the missile exploded inside.
At the Votkinsk plant, "Yars" and "Topol M" intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched "Bulava" ballistic missiles, ballistic missiles for the "Iskander" operational-tactical missile system, and "Kinzhal" missiles are produced. There are also reports that "Oreshnik" is manufactured here.
This facility has no analogue elsewhere in Russia. Of course, it is not possible to destroy this large facility with a single strike. But it is reported that this strike will delay the production process for a certain period.
The Votkinsk plant, located 1700 km from the Ukrainian border, was hit by the FP-5 ("Flamingo") cruise missile. This missile, with a warhead of 1150 kg, can strike targets at a distance of 3000 km.
The ability of the "Flamingo" to fly very low, at an altitude of 20 km or even just 10 km above ground, makes its detection by air defense radar difficult. Russia does not have enough air defense means to cover the entire country, and the capabilities in this area are rapidly decreasing. (Currently, only the airspace over Moscow and Saint Petersburg is well protected).
The Ukrainian army continuously conducts air defense hunting both in the occupied territories and within Russian territory. For example, yesterday in Crimea the S-400 "Triumf" surface-to-air missile system (launcher, radar, and other components) was destroyed. As a bonus, a "Pantsir S1" system was also put out of service. (Video below)
Currently, Ukraine produces up to 50 "Flamingo" missiles per month. It is planned to increase this number to 200 per month in the near future. In addition, Ukraine has begun testing its own ballistic missiles. These will join the army's arsenal soon. This means that Russia’s strategic facilities, including the Votkinsk plant, will be struck more precisely and intensively.
In this respect, the continuation of the war by the foolish dictator Putin, who is dragging his country into a deadlock, bodes nothing good for Russia.
Shahin Jafarli,
political analyst