Russian Bombers Hit Ukraine’s Defence Industries with Over 40 Stealth Cruise Missiles Overnight

The Russian Aerospace Forces on August 19-20 deployed its most heavily armed aircraft, the Tu-160 and Tu-95MSM strategic bombers, to support a large-scale strike against targets in the Kiev region, as the country’s combat aviation has played an increasingly central role in its air campaign. The two bomber types between them are reported to have launched over 40 cruise missiles. The strikes targeted a series of facilities in Kiev involved in the production, assembly and storage of unmanned systems. Among the reported targets was the Fire Point LLC industrial facility, which Russia says produces components for long- and medium-range strike UAVs and assembles and stores boosters used in the production of Flamingo cruise missiles.

Another reported target was the Ukrspetsystems commercial and warehouse complex, which Russian sources described as being involved in producing components for long- and medium-range strike UAVs, conducting large-component assembly of fixed-wing UAVs and storing unmanned systems. The facility therefore represents part of the industrial and logistical infrastructure supporting Ukraine's rapidly expanding domestic UAV industry. The strikes also reportedly hit the Antonov State Enterprise, one of Ukraine's most prominent aviation manufacturers. Russian sources claimed the facility was involved in producing the long-range An-196 drone in addition to the development and manufacture of various types of manned aircraft. Antonov's facilities have consequently become increasingly relevant to Russia's campaign against Ukraine's military-industrial infrastructure.

An ammunition warehouse in Kiev was also reportedly struck, which according to Russian claims, it stored M-900 thermobaric aerial bombs, anti-tank mines and ammunition intended for Baba Yaga-type UAVs. The destruction of such storage facilities could reduce Ukraine's ability to sustain operations by removing stocks of weapons and specialised munitions before they reach frontline units. The Martusivka Transport and Logistics Centre was also targeted, and reportedly stored and distributed dual-use goods, including materials and equipment used in the production of long- and medium-range UAVs, robotic systems and electronic warfare equipment. Its reported targeting illustrates the growing importance of logistics infrastructure in Russia's campaign against Ukraine's defence-industrial base.

Strategic bombers such as the Tu-95MS and Tu-160 provide the Russian Aerospace Forces with the ability to launch large numbers of long-range cruise missiles from outside Ukrainian airspace, while ground- and sea-based systems provide additional strike capacity. Both bomber types integrate the Kh-101 cruise missile as their primary non-nuclear weapons, which combined a long range with high precision and advanced radar evading capabilities. The missile has seen its design refined considerably since first being used against Ukrainian targets in 2022. While the Tu-95MSM has been employed throughout Russia’s air campaign, the Tu-160 was used to strike targets in Ukraine for the first time only in June 2025.