Russian key military factory of microelectronics halts work after Ukrainian drone attack

A major Russian microelectronics manufacturer, Kremniy EL, has halted production following a Ukrainian drone attack on its facilities in Bryansk, Russia, on 19 October.

Ukraine targets Russian military bases and oil depots with drones to disrupt the manufacturing and logistics of weapons and weaken Russia’s operational capacity in its war against Ukraine.

“As a result of a nighttime terrorist attack on the production and administrative buildings of the plant, power supply was disrupted, damage was caused to special energy facilities, and technological production chains were interrupted,” the company wrote.

The Ukrainian side has not commented on the attack. The photos and videos were published by Russian Telegram channels, such as Astra. 

Kremniy EL is one of the largest microelectronics manufacturers in Russia, with 94% of its output in 2017 dedicated to the needs of the Russian Ministry of Defense. It produces components for systems such as the Pantsir air defense and Iskander missile systems.

The company has seen substantial growth and investment in recent years. Since 2010, it has reportedly received annual allocations of $5.5 million from the Russian government for development. In 2014, Kremniy EL claimed an eightfold increase in production since 2000. By 2018, it reported a further 40% boost in output.

In August 2022, the company announced its intention to invest 5 billion rubles ($51 million) in microelectronics production over the following year, with the aim of doubling its product volume.

The plant has also been involved in developing new radar systems with active phased arrays, which are crucial for air defense, aircraft, and naval applications.

In September and December 2023, Ukrainian drones have already struck the Kremniy EL plant in Bryansk, Russia.

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