Drones Strike Molniya UAV Manufacturer in Russia’s Taganrog

In the morning of January 13, strike drones struck facilities belonging to the Russian UAV manufacturer Molniya in the city of Taganrog.

The Exilenova+ Telegram channel reported the incident and published videos filmed by eyewitnesses.

According to the reports, the target was the Atlant Aero plant, a company that specializes in the development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Updated at 10:30 a.m.: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that the strike was carried out with Ukrainian-made missiles. The Security Service of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Navy participated in the operation.

An air raid alert was issued in Russia’s Rostov region at approximately 05:40 a.m.. Shortly afterward, the regional governor confirmed that Taganrog was under attack and claimed that Russian air defense systems were engaged.

Following explosions heard around 06:00, local residents began sharing photos and videos online showing a large fire at the industrial facility.

Photos also emerged showing fragments of a surface-to-air missile from Russia’s Pantsir-S1 air defense system lying on a city street.

According to the War & Sanctions portal of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Atlant Aero LLC is a manufacturer of the Molniya-1 and Molniya-2 fixed-wing FPV kamikaze drones, as well as the Molniya-2R reconnaissance variant.

These drones are widely used by Russia’s invasion forces in the war against Ukraine. They are also used to terrorize civilians in frontline cities and districts.

In addition, the plant in Taganrog is involved in the production of components for Russia’s heavy Orion strike drones. The facility is also used to develop and assemble electronic warfare (EW) systems.

The plant had previously been targeted by a drone strike in November 2025. On the night of January 12, Ukrainian drones attacked the Novocherkassk State District Power Plant in Russia’s Rostov region.