Ukrainian forces strike facilities involved in missile launches and production of fuel for Kh-101 missiles

What Happened

Ukrainian forces struck three Russian facilities on the night of 8-9 October 2024, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The reported targets were: a facility of the Barmin Research Institute of Launch Systems, a branch of the Centre for the Operation of Ground-Based Space Infrastructure Facilities, near Dalneye Konstantinovo-5 in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast; the Redkino Experimental Plant near Redkino in Tver Oblast; and the Centre for the Disposal of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles near Surovatikha in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. The Ukrainian General Staff said the Barmin centre is involved in development, maintenance and operation of launch facilities, fuelling equipment and control systems for missiles. It said the Redkino plant manufactures components of Decilin-M fuel for Kh-55 and Kh-101 cruise missiles, as well as additives for diesel fuel and aviation gas, and that the plant is subject to international sanctions. It said the disposal centre was struck to weaken Russia's capacity to produce explosives and rocket fuel. The strikes were framed by the Ukrainian General Staff as an exercise of Ukraine's right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, aimed at reducing Russia's military, economic and technological potential. The claims have not been independently verified.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

If confirmed, the strikes target critical nodes in Russia's long-range precision strike supply chain: the production of Decilin-M fuel components for Kh-55 and Kh-101 cruise missiles, and launch support infrastructure. Kh-101 missiles are air-launched cruise missiles used by Russia against Ukrainian targets, and reducing fuel component production could degrade Russia's ability to sustain missile strikes. The operation also demonstrates Ukraine's capacity to hit military-industrial targets deep inside Russian territory, building on the reported strike on the Omsk Oil Refinery on 8 October, located more than 2,500 km from Ukraine's state border.

Watch For

Watch for Russian Ministry of Defence or local Russian officials' statements on damage, casualties or air defence interceptions at the three named sites. Independent verification via satellite imagery or subsequent reporting may clarify the extent of damage. Monitor whether the Ukrainian General Staff releases further details or assesses the impact on Kh-55/Kh-101 production and Decilin-M supply. Also monitor for possible Russian retaliatory strikes and any continuation of Ukrainian long-range attacks on Russian military-industrial or fuel infrastructure in the coming days.