Ukraine Destroys Iskander Missile Launchers on Russian Soil
Ukrainian forces have reportedly destroyed a group of Russian Iskander missile launchers inside Russia for the first time, in what officials described as a pre-emptive strike to prevent an imminent attack on a major Ukrainian city — likely Kyiv.
The launchers were positioned near Klintsy, a town in Russia’s Bryansk region, approximately 40 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Ukrainian defense and intelligence sources confirmed that at least one Iskander launcher was completely destroyed, with two others severely damaged in the strike. The launchers were reportedly preparing to fire when they were hit.
While Russian authorities have not commented on the incident, video footage circulating on social media appears to show large secondary explosions and fires consistent with the destruction of missile launch equipment. Independent military analysts noted the explosion pattern and smoke plumes as indicative of fuel or warhead detonation.
Astra reported this strike killed at least eight Russian soldiers, with five more wounded.
The operation was reportedly carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in coordination with the Armed Forces, utilizing real-time intelligence and surveillance to neutralize the threat before it could be launched.
A Strategic First
Although Ukraine has previously struck Iskander-related logistics, storage depots, and production infrastructure, this is believed to be the first confirmed destruction of operational launchers inside Russian territory.
Klintsy has been used by Russian forces as a forward staging area for missile and artillery systems aimed at northern Ukraine. The Iskander system, a mobile short-range ballistic missile platform with a range of up to 500 km, has been heavily used by Russia to target Ukrainian infrastructure and cities, often with devastating civilian casualties.
The ability to eliminate such launchers before missiles are fired marks a significant milestone in Ukraine’s growing preemptive defense capability.
A Broader Campaign
This strike is part of a widening campaign by Ukraine to disrupt Russia’s missile warfare capabilities at their source. Ukrainian drones reportedly ignited a massive fire at a military fuel depot in Russia’s Oryol region, causing severe disruption to supply lines.
Significantly, in May 2025, Ukraine also conducted a precision drone strike on the Bolkhovsky microelectronics plant — also in the Oryol region — which is known to manufacture critical components for Russia’s Iskander and Kinzhal missile systems. The attack damaged production capacity and underscored Ukraine’s growing reach and technical sophistication.
A New Phase in the War
Sources familiar with the Bryansk operation described it as a “clear message” to the Kremlin that Russian missile systems, even on Russian soil, are no longer immune from Ukrainian retaliation.
As missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian civilian areas continue, Kyiv’s ability to strike missile systems before launch represents a major evolution in Ukraine’s defensive posture — and a direct challenge to Russia’s sense of strategic depth.
