Explosions Reported Near Aircraft Plant Producing Kh-59 Missiles in Smolensk

In Smolensk, explosions were recorded at night in the area of the aircraft plant after an air raid alert was announced due to a drone threat.

The Astra media outlet reported on this.

According to the media, local residents reported explosions in the area of the airfield, where the Smolensk Aircraft Plant is also located.

In one of the videos recorded by a local resident, a trail can be seen resembling that left by surface-to-air missiles after launch. Meanwhile, OSINT expert Blinzka conducted a geolocation analysis of the video on their X (Twitter) page, which made it possible to determine the exact location of the cameraman – 54.81031, 32.05208 – and the direction of filming.

The analysis showed that the smoke was rising from the direction of the aircraft plant.

Meanwhile, a column of smoke rose over the airfield itself after the explosion, which may be connected to drone strikes on production facilities. It is worth noting that the Smolensk Aviation Plant has been placed on the sanctions lists of the European Union, Ukraine, and other countries around the world because it produces Kh-59 precision missiles and components for Kh-101 cruise missiles, which Russia uses to strike Ukraine.

In addition, the official website of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, war-sanctions.gov.ua, published further information about the plant’s involvement with the Russian defense industry, namely: production of unmanned aerial vehicles, aerial target drones, assemblies for frontline aviation, and light-engine aircraft for various purposes.

It is worth noting that the Ukrainian Defense Forces had already attacked this plant in January 2025. According to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, that strike disrupted the production process of Russian Kh-59 air-to-surface missiles of various modifications. The plant was also targeted by a strike in November 2023.