The Votkinsk plant, more than 1,400 km (870 miles) from Ukraine, produces Iskander ballistic missiles, which are often used in attacks on Ukraine, as well as nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles. file | Photo credit: Reuters
Ukrainian drones hit an industrial site in Russia on Saturday (February 21, 2026), which a Russian news channel said was a key state-owned missile factory.
The attack in Russia’s Udmurt Republic left 11 people injured, three of whom were hospitalized, local Health Minister Sergey Bagin said in a Telegram post.
“One of the republic’s facilities was attacked by drones,” Ukraine launched, regional head Alexander Brechalov said in another Telegram post. He said the strike caused injuries and damage, but did not identify the site or provide further details.
An unofficial Russian news channel on Telegram, Astrathe strike targeted the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant, a major state defense enterprise. Astra It said its claim was based on an analysis of footage from residents.
There was no immediate comment from Ukrainian officials.
The Votkinsk plant, more than 1,400 km (870 miles) from Ukraine, produces Iskander ballistic missiles, which are often used in attacks on Ukraine, as well as nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Other Russian news channels posted videos and photos, allegedly from residents of Votkinsk, showing black smoke billowing from the industrial site and windows blowing out buildings.
Udmurt Republic’s main passenger airport, airports in the city of Izhevsk and other nearby areas suspended operations early Saturday (February 21, 2026), according to Russia’s civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia.
No progress in peace talks
The strike comes days after US-brokered talks between ambassadors from Moscow and Kyiv on Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine ended on Wednesday (Feb 18, 2026), as the fourth anniversary of the war approaches next week.
The talks in Switzerland were the third round of direct talks held by Washington, which officials described as constructive after meetings in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, but did not make much headway. Expectations of significant progress in Geneva are low.
Russia attacked Ukraine with 120 drones and a ballistic missile overnight on Saturday (February 20, 2026), Ukraine’s air force said. Ukrainian forces shot down 106 drones, while the missile and 13 drones hit targets in 11 locations across the country, the statement said.
Oleh Kiper, head of Ukraine’s Odesa region on the Black Sea, said the drones had damaged civilian and energy infrastructure in the region, including a secondary school and energy company warehouses. Two people were also injured, he said in a statement on Telegram.
The southern port city of Odessa and the surrounding area are frequent targets of Russian attacks. Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said tens of thousands of Odessa residents were left without heat and running water.
In comments published on social media on Monday evening, Mr. Zelenskyy said Moscow “must take responsibility” for the relentless strikes, which he said undermine the US push for peace.
Published – February 21, 2026 10:30 pm IST
