Key rocket and space facilities have been attacked in Russia, Kyiv said on Saturday.
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian forces successfully targeted the Progress Rocket and Space Center in Russia’s Samara region, some 900 kilometers away from their shared border.
M109 Artillery Creative Commons Photo.
He said that Ukrainian-manufactured FP-5 “Flamingo” missiles were used in the attack. Roscosmos, Russia’s state-run space firm, owns the site, which works on critical rocket technology.
Russian ‘Starlink’ Copycat Hit
Zelenskyy described the major strike as a “good achievement.”
The same night, Ukraine targeted a military air base in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region, along with damaging an oil facility in Ust-Luga, on the Baltic coast, west of St. Petersburg. Ukraine also struck the port in March this year, and it is Russia’s second-largest in terms of Baltic oil exports.
The Samara-based Progress Center is a key cog in Russia’s space industry, manufacturing Soyuz launch vehicles first designed in the 1960s. Ukraine’s General Staff said the facility produced rockets that allowed the Russian military to launch satellites into orbit capable of reconnaissance and communications.
The so-called Rassvet satellites are reportedly an attempt to rival Elon Musk’s revolutionary “Starlink” system, which describes its technology as “using a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet capable.”
The complex also manufactures electronics for Russian weapons, and satellite photographs of the strike site appear to show damage to these elements as well.
Huge Smoke Clouds Seen At Strike Site
Samara Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev announced a hit on an industrial facility in his region, but did not specify which one or the extent of any damage.
Regional authorities said missiles struck an industrial facility, while the head of the regional capital said air defenses had tackled a “massive” missile attack overnight.
Images and video shared via social media seem to show large smoke plumes and fires in the area.
Air Base Also Hit
Ukraine also said its forces reached Savasleyka air base, approximately 700 kilometers — 435 miles — from Ukraine.
MiG-31K fighter aircraft capable of carrying Russia’s Kh-47M2 Kinzhal ballistic missiles are based there, and Ukraine has accused them of using them to launch various attacks.
Ukraine previously said it struck the Savasleyka base back in June 2025, reportedly destroying a MiG-31.
Zelenskyy framed the fresh attacks as a form of “long-range sanctions” on Moscow, geared toward pressuring Russia by compromising military and economic infrastructure well beyond the front line and essential to its war effort.
“Our plan of long-range sanctions against Russia for this war is being implemented,” he explained.
“Peace is needed, and this must be evident in Russia – through concrete damage to specific facilities. Glory to Ukraine!” he wrote on X.
Saturday’s strikes are merely the latest in Ukraine’s wave of such hits on Russia’s vast network of oil refineries and export routes.
According to RBC-Ukraine, Ukraine has struck 10 of 34 major Russian refineries since the start of August.
On Tuesday, the Orsk-based oil refinery in Russia’s Orenburg Oblast was also hit and has subsequently “completely” halted processing. Regional authorities said the damage could keep it out of use for months.
Ukrainian forces struck the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat refinery complex in Bashkortostan on Thursday.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, almost 600 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones were intercepted overnight across 19 Russian regions.
Moscow’s regional governor, Andrey Vorobyov, said that two people, including a nine-year-old child, were wounded when a Ukrainian drone attack hit a residence in Shatura.
Black Sea Attacks Ramp Up
Ukrainian officials also said that some 152 Russian drones and loitering munitions were launched into its territory last night, with 124 being intercepted.
In recent weeks, the conflict in the Black Sea has intensified again.
Ukrainian attacks on occupied Crimea have forced Russia’s naval fleet to move most of its operations to Novorossiysk further east.
On Friday, Russia said it had rejected a proposal from Kyiv to halt attacks on commercial vessels and ports at sea.
Novorossiysk itself faced power outages this week after suffering a barrage of Ukrainian anti-ship missiles and drones.
Two of the town’s three grain terminals also suspended operations. No reports said its Grushovaya oil terminal was hit.
However, Reuters said on Friday that the Sheskharis terminal suspended loading operations following the attacks. It is unclear if and when operations will resume.
About the Author: Georgia Gilholy
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
