Russia economy meltdown as country 'losing £487k' per day after Ukraine's strikes

 

Ukraine Drone Strikes Cripple Russian Weapons Plant, Costing Kremlin Hundreds of Thousands Daily

A key Russian military-industrial facility has been forced to suspend operations after sustaining heavy damage from a Ukrainian drone strike, with daily losses now estimated at up to £487,300. The attack is part of Ukraine’s ongoing strategy to disrupt Russia’s war production by targeting critical infrastructure.

The Energiya plant, located in Yelets in the Lipetsk region, was struck overnight on Saturday. The facility, partially state-owned, plays a pivotal role in supplying batteries for military drones, warships, and advanced missile systems like the Iskander and Kinzhal — weapons regularly deployed against Ukrainian cities.

Footage from the scene captured massive explosions followed by a raging inferno that engulfed the factory. Eyewitness videos showed towering flames lighting up the night sky as emergency crews rushed to contain the blaze. The plant's production lines have now ground to a halt, dealing a significant financial blow to Moscow’s war economy.

Kyrylo Shevchenko, former head of Ukraine’s National Bank, highlighted the impact in a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter):

"Russia is now losing an estimated $200,000 to $660,000 per day after Ukrainian strikes forced the shutdown of one of its crucial military factories."

He added: “Energiya was producing batteries for the very missiles that target our cities. In 2024, it received $12 million to nearly double its output. Now it’s paying the price.”

According to Ukraine's Defense Intelligence database "War & Sanctions", the Energiya plant has also been involved in manufacturing chemical power sources for targeting systems used in Russian aircraft bombs.

This strike comes amid a broader escalation of Ukrainian aerial operations deep into Russian territory. Just last week, Kyiv launched a wave of drone and missile attacks across Russia, including a successful strike on ammunition depots in the Krasnodar region.

Another major military-industrial site, the NPO Splav facility in Tula — operated by Russian defense conglomerate Rostec — was also hit. The plant, a major producer of rocket launchers, missiles, flamethrowers, and other armaments, was severely damaged after a workshop caught fire following a drone impact.

Ironically, the attack came just three days after Vladimir Putin honored four employees from the Tula plant with the prestigious Marshal Zhukov Prize for their contributions to Russian weapons development.

Ukraine’s intensified strikes on Russia’s defense infrastructure mark a strategic shift aimed at directly undermining the Kremlin’s ability to sustain its invasion. As these attacks grow in scale and precision, they continue to chip away at the foundations of Putin’s war machine.