Vladimir Putin has suffered a hammerblow after a giant Russian plant making killer drones was struck in a pinpoint overnight missile strike by Ukraine. Three people were reported wounded in the devastating attack on the Atlant Aero plant in Taganrog.

The factory is crucial to Putin’s drone-making capacity. It produces Molniya-1 and Molniya-2 kamikaze and FPV unmanned planes as well as components for the powerful Orion drone, all used in the war against Ukraine. It is also key to Putin’s electronic warfare capability. This is the latest plant to be hit amid an apparent shortage of Russian air defences.

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