Drone Attack Sparks Fire Near VNIIR-Progress Defense Plant in Cheboksary

After a morning strike by attack drones in the Russian city of Cheboksary, a fire broke out near the VNIIR-Progress defense plant.

The ASTRA Telegram channel reported the incident, citing local residents.

The facility is a leading producer of electronics for Russian missiles and drones, including Kometa antennas.

Witnesses reported several explosions followed by a large-scale fire and shared footage from the scene, which was published by the Exilenova+ Telegram channel.

The regional governor confirmed the drone attack and claimed that there was no serious damage and no casualties.

Meanwhile, local residents reported spotting at least three drones, one of which fell near a local store, and another allegedly near the VNIIR-Progress facility.

Residents also reported that traffic has been blocked on several city streets. The exact consequences of the attack on the Russian defense plant are currently unknown.

VNIIR-Progress

The plant is located about 1,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s state border, in the Chuvash Republic. It is part of the ABS Electro production association.

The enterprise manufactures GNSS receivers and antennas for the Russian military for satellite systems such as GLONASS, GPS, and Galileo, including Kometa-type modules. These components are widely used in unmanned aerial vehicles – including Shahed-type kamikaze drones – as well as in Iskander-M and Kalibr missile systems and in UMPK glide kits for aerial bombs.

The VNIIR-Progress facility also manufactures electrical equipment, including circuit breakers, relays, and contactless modules supplied to the Russian Navy, in particular for Yasen-M–class nuclear submarines.

Last year, Ukrainian drones repeatedly targeted this Russian defense enterprise.

Following the June 9 attack, the plant suspended its operations. The facility was later targeted again by UAVs on July 5, 2025. Another strike occurred on November 26.