Ukraine struck targets in Tatarstan – 1300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The attacks are unprecedented, but there is one detail that does not bring good news for Kiev.
Yesterday it was reported that Ukrainian forces with drones were able to strike a drone manufacturing plant deep in Russia – the city of Yelabuga in Tatarstan, as well as the Nizhnekamsk oil refinery.
The attack on the oil refinery is extremely profitable for Ukraine because it causes financial damage to the enemy, and it may have been carried out by drones. Things are not like that in Elabuga, however. Aviation expert Valery Romanenko, referring to circulated videos of the attack, believes that a modified light aircraft, not a drone, was used there.
He said he was somewhat disappointed when he saw that it was actually a remote-controlled light aircraft. The reason is that this aircraft is very expensive, mass production is impossible, and in fact the cost of this aircraft exceeds the damage done to the Russian factory.
For Nizhnekamsk (we are talking about the oil refinery) it is worth it, because the result is many times greater than the costs, since the drones are also cheaper, Romanenko pointed out, but for Elabuga, according to him, a mistake was made.
The big question is how Ukrainian drones/planes were able to fly 1,300 kilometers deep into Russia undetected. According to Romanenko, the Ukrainian services chose a suitable route, bypassing the coverage areas of the Russian radar, flying at a low altitude: up to 100 meters. Romanenko says Russia will now learn a lesson and deploy air defense systems there.
According to the aviation expert, Ukraine now needs a full-fledged drone with a long range. Then the Russian defense industry will really feel the blows of Ukraine. Now these are only momentary successes.