Drone attack suspected near Russian naval research centre PHOTO

Smoke has been reported near a Russian defence research facility specialising in naval underwater weapons near St. Petersburg, with open-source analysts suggesting the site may have been targeted in a drone attack.

The incident occurred in the city of Lomonosov, where smoke was observed in the vicinity of the Research Institute of Marine Thermal Engineering, according to the investigative project ASTRA, citing OSINT analysis.

The project said photographs published by eyewitnesses could indicate a possible strike on the facility, located at 44 Chernikova Street. There has been no official confirmation of an attack.

The institute is a key defence research and engineering centre focused on the development of torpedo systems and propulsion units for naval underwater weapons. Founded in 1948, it was originally established to design torpedoes for the Soviet navy and later operated as a branch of the Central Research Institute “Gidropribor” within the NPO “Uran.” It became an independent organisation following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Its activities encompass the full development cycle, from scientific research and design to full-scale land and sea trials of torpedoes and related systems. The institute also develops torpedo propulsion systems with open, closed and combined operating cycles based on gas turbine and piston engines, and produces specialised equipment for testing underwater power systems and their components. In addition, it designs and manufactures automated compact boiler units for industrial and heating applications.

The institute is regarded as one of the central pillars of Russia’s naval underwater weapons development sector, with its torpedoes historically considered among the most advanced in the Soviet fleet in terms of range and speed.

Earlier on June 6, Leningrad Region Governor Alexander Drozdenko said that 86 drones attacking the region had been shot down, though he did not specify whether any targets had been hit.

By Tamilla Hasanova