Ukraine reportedly strikes Russian military plant in Volgograd

Ukrainian-made long-range Flamingo FP-5 missiles "successfully struck" a key Russian military-industrial facility in the city of Volgograd overnight on June 27, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

The strike targeted Russia's Federal Research and Production Center Titan-Barrikady, a major defense enterprise that manufactures launchers for the Yars and Topol-M strategic missile systems, as well as launchers for the Iskander-M ballistic missile system.

"Confirmed strikes were followed by a fire on the plant's premises," Zelensky said.

"It is a major industrial complex where (Russia) produces artillery systems and specialized military equipment, including components for missile launch systems used in attacks against our people."

Titan-Barrikady is one of Russia's leading military-industrial enterprises and forms part of the state space corporation Roscosmos. In addition to missile launch systems, the enterprise produces heavy artillery systems, naval artillery mounts, and coastal anti-ship missile systems.

The facility has been under international sanctions since Russia launched its all-out war.

Volgograd Oblast Governor Andrey Bocharov confirmed that Ukrainian "high-speed aerial targets" struck the city overnight, damaging what he described as "production facilities at one of Volgograd's enterprises in the Krasnooktyabrsky District."

Although Bocharov did not identify the enterprise by name, Titan-Barrikady is located in the district.

The governor said 10 people were injured and were receiving medical treatment. He added that localized fires were quickly extinguished and that no residential buildings were damaged.

Russia's Defense Ministry claimed it shot down 175 Ukrainian drones over 10 Russian regions and occupied Crimea, but made no mention of the missile strike.

Ukraine's General Staff also reported that the Pantsir-S1 air defense system in Feodosia and the Petropavlovsk car ferry near Kerch in occupied Crimea were struck overnight.

The strike on the plant marks another Ukrainian attack on Russia's defense-industrial base, as Kyiv aims to weaken Moscow's weapon production for its war against Ukraine.

"The reach of Ukraine's long-range sanctions continues to expand," Zelensky said. "It is precisely our pressure, day after day, that lays the groundwork for a dignified peace in the end."

Ukraine's military reportedly carried out a drone attack against an oil refinery in the Russian city of Slavyansk-na-Kubani overnight on June 28, Russian Telegram media channels reported.

"Slovakia will not pay for Ukraine's military expenses," Prime Minister Robert Fico said ahead of the summit in Ankara in July.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, a right-wing populist leader with authoritarian tendencies and warm ties with Russia, said on June 27 that he would resign from office.

The so-called "Alaska understanding" refers to Moscow's request that Washington to pressure Ukraine to withdraw completely from Donbas, one person familiar with the Alaska discussions previously told the Kyiv Independent.

Aleksey Zhuravlyov, first deputy chair of Russian State Duma Defense Committee, said Moscow would strengthen its military presence along the border with Finland and could easily destroy half the country.

The civilians were detained by Russian forces during the occupation of Mariupol and parts of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk oblasts in 2022.

The strike is part of a 40-day campaign approved by President Volodymyr Zelensky, which he said is aimed at "compelling" Russia to end the war.

The pilot was located by a search-and-rescue team, which evacuated him to a medical facility.

Russia launched 129 Shahed-type attack drones overnight on June 27, Ukraine's Air Force said.

The strike targeted a major defense enterprise that manufactures launchers for the Yars and Topol-M strategic missile systems, as well as launchers for the Iskander-M tactical ballistic missile system.

The number includes 1,350 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on June 26 that President Karol Nawrocki's decision to strip President Volodymyr Zelensky of Poland's Order of the White Eagle was an inappropriate response to the recent diplomatic dispute between Warsaw and Kyiv.

The victims include two 12-year-old sisters, who have both been hospitalized, according to Ukraine's National Police.