Ukraine targets Russian missile factory producing launchers for nuclear arsenal VIDEO / PHOTO

Open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts said a Ukrainian missile attack on Volgograd overnight triggered a fire at a major Russian defence manufacturing facility, sending smoke billowing above the site.

Independent outlet ASTRA said geolocation of eyewitness footage indicated the smoke was coming from the premises of JSC Federal Research and Production Centre Titan-Barrikady, one of Russia's leading military-industrial enterprises.

Residents of the Volgograd region reported explosions and a fire during a wave of Ukrainian strikes in the early hours of June 27. Videos shared on social media showed a large plume of smoke rising above an industrial area on the city's outskirts.

The analysts said footage filmed from Moskovskaya Street, about 6.5 kilometres from the site, matched the location of the factory complex.

Separate video footage published by monitoring channel Exilenova+ appeared to show a missile in flight. ASTRA said its analysis suggested the strike was carried out using long-range Ukrainian Flamingo cruise missiles.

Neither Russian authorities nor the company immediately commented on the claims. The extent of any damage to the facility could not be independently verified.

Titan-Barrikady is a key manufacturer of missile-launch systems and artillery equipment for Russia's armed forces. The company forms part of the state-owned Roscosmos corporation and is involved in the design, testing and serial production of a wide range of military hardware.

The facility is known for producing mobile launch systems for Russia's strategic nuclear-capable missile complexes, including the Yars and Topol-M systems, as well as equipment linked to the next-generation Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile programme.

It also manufactures launchers for the Iskander-M tactical missile system, heavy artillery systems and coastal defence missile complexes.

The plant has been sanctioned by the European Union, the United States, Canada, Japan and other countries following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

By Aghakazim Guliyev