MOSCOW, Russia – Ukraine’s military says it has struck a key Russian chemical plant with long-range Storm Shadow missiles, describing the operation as a “successful hit” that breached Moscow’s air defences.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ukraine’s general staff said the “massive” strike targeted the Bryansk Chemical Plant — a facility it called a cornerstone of Russia’s military-industrial complex.
“The Bryansk Chemical Plant produces gunpowder, explosives, and rocket fuel components used in missiles and ammunition employed by the enemy to shell Ukrainian territory,” the statement said.
Russia has yet to comment on the attack, which reportedly hit deep inside Russian territory. The Kremlin has repeatedly warned Western nations against providing Ukraine with long-range weapons.
Russian Retaliation Kills Six in Ukraine
Hours after Kyiv’s announcement, Russia launched a wave of missile and drone strikes across several Ukrainian regions, killing at least six people — including two children — and triggering emergency blackouts.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attacks targeted power infrastructure in the Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions, leaving parts of the capital without electricity.
Two people were killed in Kyiv itself, and a woman and two children died in the surrounding region, officials confirmed. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said debris from intercepted missiles had damaged multiple buildings.
Witnesses reported hearing explosions and seeing flashes in the sky as air defence systems attempted to intercept incoming projectiles, according to Reuters.
Western Leaders Vow to Tighten Pressure on Moscow
The strike on Bryansk coincided with a pledge by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and several European leaders to intensify pressure on Russia’s economy and defence industry.
In a joint statement with the leaders of Ukraine, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Denmark, Finland, Norway and the EU, they vowed to “ramp up the pressure” until Russian President Vladimir Putin “is ready to make peace.”
“Ukraine must be in the strongest position — before, during, and after any ceasefire,” the statement said.
Trump Holds Back on Supplying Cruise Missiles
The escalation follows a meeting last week at the White House between US President Donald Trump and Zelensky, during which Trump signalled reluctance to provide Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv.
Trump had earlier proposed peace talks with Putin in Budapest but said on Tuesday the meeting was “on hold,” calling it a potential “wasted meeting.” He reiterated that Russia’s refusal to halt fighting along current front lines remained a key obstacle.
Trump, who last month said Ukraine could “win back all its original territory,” has sought to balance support for Kyiv with his push for negotiations to end the nearly four-year war.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and currently occupies roughly 20 percent of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, annexed in 2014.
