Key facts
- A Ukrainian partisan group, Atesh, claimed responsibility for sabotaging an electrical substation supplying the VZPP-Sborka plant in Voronezh, Russia.
- The VZPP-Sborka plant produces components for Kh-101 and Iskander-K missiles and Pantsir-S1 air defense systems.
- Atesh stated the sabotage caused a power outage that disrupted production and delayed deliveries of electronic components.
- The group claimed restoring full electricity supplies took several weeks.
A Ukrainian partisan group, Atesh, claimed on Sept. 16 that one of its agents sabotaged an electrical substation supplying the VZPP-Sborka plant in Voronezh, Russia. The plant manufactures components used in Kh-101 and Iskander-K missiles and Pantsir-S1 air defense systems.
Atesh stated that after studying the facility and planning the operation, its agent infiltrated an electrical substation near the plant, bypassed security, and destroyed the main distribution cabinet. The group asserted that this action caused a voltage surge and cut power to the plant's workshops, leading to disruptions in the delivery of key electronic components and delays in the production of Russian missiles and air defense systems. Atesh claimed that restoring full electricity supplies took several weeks.
The Kyiv Independent reported it could not independently verify the claims. Atesh did not disclose the timing of the operation, citing the need to protect its agents. Voronezh is located approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
According to Ukraine's military intelligence, VZPP-Sborka manufactures semiconductors, integrated circuits, and power modules used in various Russian weapons systems. The plant was previously targeted by Ukraine on June 22 with air-launched cruise missiles, according to the General Staff. Atesh has previously claimed responsibility for sabotage operations against Russian military infrastructure.