On the night of 13 November, the Ukrainian military carried out missile strikes on three sites linked to the production, storage and maintenance of Russian drones in the Rostov-on-Don area. According to the Ukrainian side, the attack was carried out using the Ukrainian Navy’s «Neptune» coastal missile system. The targets reportedly included the «Ionos» factory, a warehouse for its products, and a service centre belonging to the company «Aero-Hit», which supplies the Russian army with «Veles» FPV drones. The Russian authorities have confirmed overnight fires at the production and storage facilities, although the extent of the damage to the specific enterprises mentioned is still being assessed.
- Ukraine’s «Neptunes» struck three Russian drone infrastructure sites.
- The company’s production facilities and warehouse are cited among its objectives.
- There are also reports that the service centre of «Veles», a manufacturer of FPV drones, has been hit.
- The Russian authorities have confirmed that there have been fires at a production facility and a warehouse.
Three facilities belonging to Russian drone manufacturers were hit in Rostov-on-Don
According to information released regarding an operation by the Ukrainian Armed Forces« Naval Forces, missile units used the »Neptune’ system to strike targets supplying the Russian army with drones.
One of the targets was a company Ionos Ltd«, linked to the production of tactical-grade strike FPV drones. There are also reports of a strike on a storage facility housing this manufacturer’s drones.
The company «Ionos» has been subject to European Union sanctions since June 2026. EU sanctions documents state that, as part of the «Alaska» project, the company manufactures «Alyosha» FPV drones, which Russian troops are using for reconnaissance and strikes against Ukraine.
Another stated objective was the Rostov service centre Aero-Hit Ltd«, where drones are repaired and serviced.
What is known about the Russian drone manufacturer «Veles»
The company «Aero-Hit» specialises in the manufacture of «Veles» strike and reconnaissance FPV drones. The company’s main production facility is located in Khabarovsk, whilst in Rostov-on-Don, according to the Ukrainian side, the service centre is operational.
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence has included «Aero-Hit» and its affiliated companies in its database of Russian manufacturers of unmanned systems.
Damage to production facilities, finished goods warehouses and maintenance infrastructure could simultaneously affect the manufacture of new drones, the supply of existing aircraft and the return of damaged equipment to the front line. The actual losses of equipment and drones have not yet been established.
Fires broke out in the Rostov Region following a night-time attack
On the night of 13 November, residents of Rostov-on-Don reported explosions, air defence activity and a glow over industrial sites.
Governor of the Rostov Region Yuriy Slyusar confirmed that a production facility in the Sovetsky district of the city had been damaged. According to him, a fire broke out there, covering an area of around 20 square metres.
An even larger fire was reported in the Aksai district, where the blaze engulfed a warehouse covering an area of approximately 1,500 square metres. The Russian authorities did not specify the names of the companies involved.
Earlier, the Ukrainian Navy announced that it was expanding the use of «Neptune» missiles to strike ground targets belonging to the Russian military-industrial complex. In particular, on 7 November, Ukrainian missiles struck a factory «Proton-Elektrotex» in Orel, which manufactures electronic components for Russian missile systems.
