During a nighttime drone attack, Ukrainian forces struck a defense enterprise in Tula that is part of the Russian state corporation Rostec, according to sources from the region’s emergency services cited by Astra.
The target was one of the active workshops of the Scientific Production Association (NPO) “Splav.” This facility is a leading Russian manufacturer of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), heavy flamethrower systems (TOS), and related munitions, as well as unguided and guided aviation rockets. According to Astra's sources, debris from the drones caused a fire at the site. An electrical substation also caught fire.
Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded four employees of “Splav” the Marshal Zhukov Prize for achievements in the development of weapons and military equipment.
On the night of May 7, “Splav” was reportedly already hit during a massive Ukrainian drone raid on the Tula region. Residents reported that after explosions in Tula, a major fire broke out near Shcheglovskaya Zaseka Street. In addition to “Splav,” this area also hosts the “Instrument Design Bureau” JSC, which develops high-precision guided weapons.
From Wednesday night into Thursday, Ukraine launched its largest drone attack since March in terms of the number of strike UAVs targeting Russian regions. Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported at least 182 aerial targets destroyed across 11 regions. Between 8:00 PM on May 20 and 8:00 AM on May 22, around 20 Ukrainian drones were reportedly shot down over the Tula region.
