Ukraine Strikes Russian Aircraft Repair Plant
Drones reportedly hit a Staraya Russa facility that services Il-76 transports and Il-78 refueling tankers, starting a fire.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Natural Disasters
Ukrainian forces likely attacked Russia's 123rd Aircraft Repair Plant in Staraya Russa overnight, and Novgorod Oblast Governor Aleksandr Dronov admitted an industrial facility was damaged. Drones struck the plant, starting a fire, and drone debris damaged two dacha houses in Novgorod Oblast without injuring anyone.
Why it matters
The plant services Il-76 transports and Il-78 refueling tankers, and it was previously struck by drones in March, making this a repeat strike on a key military aviation maintenance site. Staraya Russa lies about 640 km from the Ukrainian border, showing the reach of drone attacks deep into Russian territory.
Russia's Defense Ministry claimed it downed 155 drones overnight over eight Russian regions, and leaked documents showed 143 of 368 military Antonovs needed repair. The extent of damage at the Staraya Russa plant remains unconfirmed.
The players
Aleksandr Dronov
Novgorod Oblast Governor who admitted an industrial facility was damaged in the overnight attack.
The details
Drones hit hangars at the 123rd Aircraft Repair Plant in Staraya Russa, starting a fire, while fire trucks were reported heading toward the site. Separately, a railway bridge over the Viled River in Arkhangelsk Oblast collapsed at 05:10 local time, derailing freight train cars.
Timeline
March 17, 2026: Drones hit the Staraya Russa plant hangars, and an A-50 was damaged.
November 10, 2026, overnight: The Staraya Russa plant was attacked, causing explosions and fire in Novgorod Oblast.
November 10, 2026, 05:10 local time: The Arkhangelsk railway bridge collapsed under a freight train.
Seasonal Patterns
The November strike on the Staraya Russa plant repeats the March 2026 drone attack on the same facility, extending a pattern of long-range strikes against Russian military aviation maintenance. Staraya Russa's roughly 640 km distance from the Ukrainian border makes the repeat attacks notable for their reach.
Residents near Staraya Russa and in Novgorod Oblast should follow official guidance from local authorities during periods of drone activity. Travelers and residents in affected regions should monitor official channels for updates on safety and restrictions.
The takeaway
Drone debris can cause damage well beyond a strike's target, as shown by the two dacha houses damaged in Novgorod Oblast. Tracking repeat strikes on the same facility helps show how defenses and repair capacity are being tested over time.
Further reading
For broader context on large-scale disruptions, see our Natural Disasters coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Euromaidan Press.
