Drone Strike Hits Aircraft Repair Plant in Novgorod Region

On the night of Tuesday, March 17, drones struck Russia’s 123rd Aircraft Repair Plant in the Novgorod region.

The Exilenova+ Telegram channel reported the attack.

The facility is located in the city of Staraya Russa and is responsible for repairing, upgrading, and maintaining aircraft used by Russia’s military transport aviation.

The 123rd Aircraft Repair Plant specializes in servicing Il-76, Il-78, and L-410 aircraft, as well as D-30KP and AI-20 engines, TG-16M auxiliary power units, and AV-68 and AV-72 propellers.

Novgorod Region Governor Alexander Dronov confirmed in his social media that drones had attacked the region and said that Russian air defense systems were responding.

Last night, the 123rd Aircraft Repair Plant in Staraya Russa, Novgorod Oblast, was attacked.
The plant carries out repair, modernization, and maintenance work on the military transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces. It specializes in repairing Il-76, Il-78, and L-410… pic.twitter.com/aqfDQtByIu

— Exilenova+ (@Exilenova_plus) March 17, 2026

In particular, the facility is capable of repairing the airframe and engines of A-50 airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft, which are based on the Il-76 military transport plane.

According to channels monitoring the locations of Russian military aircraft, two A-50 aircraft are currently at the plant. However, it is unknown whether they are undergoing repairs or are simply being stored there.

In the morning, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed that during the night its air defense systems allegedly intercepted and destroyed 206 Ukrainian drones.

Previous attack on a Russian aviation plant

This is not the only recent strike on Russian aviation-related facilities.

Previously, drones also targeted the Aviastar aircraft manufacturing plant in the Russian city of Ulyanovsk.

This is a strategic aircraft manufacturing plant that produces and repairs large transport and passenger aircraft and is a key part of Russia’s aviation industry.

The facility specializes in manufacturing Il-76MD-90A military transport aircraft, Il-78M-90A aerial refueling tankers, and provides maintenance for heavy transport aircraft such as the An-124 Ruslan.