Rocket strike on Energiya plant in Yelets: production of components for Iskanders and Kinjals

On Sunday, 25 October, an attack on industrial infrastructure took place in the city of Yelets in Russia's Lipetsk region. According to Ukrainian sources, the target was the Energiya plant, which specialises in the manufacture of batteries and power units for Iskander, Kinjal missiles and other Russian weapons. Local authorities confirmed the fact of the strike but did not disclose the specific name of the damaged enterprise.

Details of the incident and the authorities' reaction

The first reports of a possible hit on the facility appeared on the morning of 25 October. Monitoring sources suggest that the plant's territory may have been attacked by several cruise missiles. Video footage showing smoke in the industrial zone area was published online.

Igor Artemonov, the Governor of Lipetsk region, confirmed that the attack was directed at the industrial district of Yelets. He noted that emergency services were operating at the scene, and information on possible casualties was being clarified at that time. Meanwhile, the Russian official refrained from commenting on which specific enterprise was affected.

Ukrainian sources indicate that the strike was aimed at the Energiya plant, located approximately 300 kilometres from the border with Ukraine. Independent confirmation of the exact number of hits, the type of missiles used, and the scale of damage to production capacities is currently unavailable.

Production specialisation of the enterprise

JSC Energiya is engaged in the production of chemical power sources, battery packs and other power units. This product is integrated into the Russian military-industrial complex, specifically into missile weapons, air defence systems and guided aerial munitions.

According to information from the War&Sanctions portal of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, the enterprise is involved in the production of components for several types of Russian missiles:

• Power units 9B280-1 for 9M727 cruise missiles of the Iskander-K complex.
• Thermal batteries 9B283 for 9M723 ballistic missiles of the Iskander-M complex.
• Onboard battery packs for Kh-47M2 Kinjal aeroballistic missiles.

The enterprise's range also includes power sources for UMPB D-30SN guided aerial bombs, Kh-35U anti-ship missiles and Pantsir surface-to-air missile and gun systems. Thus, the plant's products are used in several types of weapons that Russian forces are employing during the war against Ukraine.

Sanctions pressure and previous strikes

Due to its involvement in supporting the Russian military-industrial complex, the Energiya plant has been included in the sanctions lists of Ukraine, the US, the European Union, Japan and other states. The aim of such restrictions is to complicate Russian manufacturers' access to foreign technologies, equipment and components.

The previous day, on 24 October, Ukraine introduced a new package of sanctions against individuals and legal entities involved in the production and supply of components for Russian missiles. The list included 51 individuals and 44 legal entities linked to weapons production, specifically Iskander, Kalibr, Kh-101 and Kinjal missiles.

As of now, it is unknown how the 25 October attack affected the plant's production capabilities. Additional data on the condition of equipment and production workshops is required to assess the consequences.

It is worth noting that in September 2025, the Energiya plant had already been struck. At that time, local sources reported explosions and damage to production premises.

In addition, on 24 October 2026, there were reports of strikes on the Proton-Elektroteks plant in Oryol and the Tolyatti Kaucuk combine. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the former enterprise produces components for Iskander-M missiles and Pantsir-S1 systems, while the latter's products are used in the production of rocket fuel.

A strike by Flamingo missiles on the Titan-Barricades plant in Volgograd is also mentioned, which manufactures launchers for Russian Iskander-M, Topol-M and Yars missile complexes.