Ukrainian missile strike hits Russian defence plant in Bryansk as Belgorod suffers blackout

In the early hours of September 29, Russia’s Bryansk region came under missile attack, triggering air raid alerts and a reported fire at a key defence-industrial facility. 

The Karachev Electrodetal Plant—a prominent manufacturer of electrical connectors for military and industrial applications—was hit in what appears to be a precision strike, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

At approximately midnight, missile alerts were issued across the Karachev district, urging residents to take immediate shelter. Citizens were advised to stay indoors, avoid windows, and, if outside, proceed to the nearest protected space.

Shortly after the warnings, reports surfaced of a fire at the Electrodetal Plant, one of Russia’s leading producers of low- and high-frequency connectors used in aerospace, electronics, and military equipment. The extent of the damage remains unclear, but the facility’s strategic importance suggests the strike could significantly disrupt supply chains within Russia’s defence sector.

Separately, on the evening of September 28, explosions were reported in Belgorod, another Russian city near the Ukrainian border. Following the blasts, widespread power outages were observed across the city and surrounding areas.

The Belgorod Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHP) and the Luch electrical substation were reportedly targeted, leading to significant infrastructure disruption. Public services in the city were thrown into disarray: elevators stopped working, retail shops either closed or switched to cash-only operations, and public transport became irregular. Traffic lights were also reported to be out of order, while many streets remained without lighting.

The blackout followed a warning issued a day earlier by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who stated that if Russia continues to target Ukrainian power infrastructure, it should expect retaliatory blackouts in its own major cities.

By Vafa Guliyeva