Ukrainian forces conducted a successful attack on a missile storage arsenal in Kotluban, Russia, using 120 kamikaze drones to inflict substantial damage on the complex early on Sunday, Sept. 29. The operation involved multiple Ukrainian military agencies, including Military Intelligence, Special Operations Forces, Security Service of Ukraine, Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The attack resulted in loud explosions and a large fire at the storage site, potentially causing supply shortages for Russian forces. Despite unclear reports of whether the arsenal itself is ablaze, NASA’s fire monitoring system has detected three fire points near the site.
The attacked site in Kotluban is connected to Russia’s Main Missile Artillery Directorate. Following the attack, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have downed 125 Ukrainian drones on its territory, with no casualties reported. Previous attacks on the same site in Kotluban have occurred, including one in 2023 and another in March 2024.
Ukrainian drones also targeted an ammunition storage facility in Russia’s Tver region on Sept. 18, resulting in significant damage to missiles and artillery ammunition. This long-range attack is considered one of the most damaging launched by Kyiv in over 30 months of combat, potentially making it the most devastating air strike ever on Russia.