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\u2019s \u00abNeptune\u00bb coastal missile system. The targets reportedly included the \u00abIonos\u00bb factory, a warehouse for its products, and a service centre belonging to the company \u00abAero-Hit\u00bb, which supplies the Russian army with \u00abVeles\u00bb 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.<\/p>\n
According to information released regarding an operation by the Ukrainian Armed Forces\u00ab Naval Forces, missile units used the \u00bbNeptune\u2019 system to strike targets supplying the Russian army with drones.<\/p>\n
One of the targets was a company Ionos Ltd\u00ab<\/strong>, linked to the production of tactical-grade strike FPV drones. There are also reports of a strike on a storage facility housing this manufacturer\u2019s drones.<\/p>\n The company \u00abIonos\u00bb has been subject to European Union sanctions since June 2026. EU sanctions documents state that, as part of the \u00abAlaska\u00bb project, the company manufactures \u00abAlyosha\u00bb FPV drones, which Russian troops are using for reconnaissance and strikes against Ukraine.<\/p>\n Another stated objective was the Rostov service centre Aero-Hit Ltd\u00ab<\/strong>, where drones are repaired and serviced.<\/p>\n The company \u00abAero-Hit\u00bb specialises in the manufacture of \u00abVeles\u00bb strike and reconnaissance FPV drones. The company\u2019s main production facility is located in Khabarovsk, whilst in Rostov-on-Don<\/a>, according to the Ukrainian side, the service centre is operational.<\/p>\n The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence has included \u00abAero-Hit\u00bb and its affiliated companies in its database of Russian manufacturers of unmanned systems.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n On the night of 13 November, residents of Rostov-on-Don reported explosions, air defence activity and a glow over industrial sites.<\/p>\n Governor of the Rostov Region Yuriy Slyusar<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\nWhat is known about the Russian drone manufacturer \u00abVeles\u00bb<\/h2>\n
Fires broke out in the Rostov Region following a night-time attack<\/h2>\n