Ukraine Strikes Russian Aircraft Plants as Internal Dissent Rises

Kyiv’s forces have intensified attacks on Russian military infrastructure, targeting aircraft plants in the Ulyanovsk and Novgorod regions. Simultaneously, cracks are appearing within Russia’s political landscape, with a prominent pro-Kremlin figure publicly denouncing Vladimir Putin’s leadership and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Ukrainian Strikes Target Key Aircraft Production Facilities

On Wednesday, Ukraine’s General Staff announced that its military struck two Russian plants involved in the production and repair of military transport and cargo planes. Reuters and The Kyiv Independent reported that the attacks occurred on March 16th and 17th.

The first strike, on March 16th, targeted the Aviastar aircraft manufacturing plant in Ulyanovsk Oblast, approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles) inside Russia. The Kyiv Independent detailed that building structures designed to hold aircraft and aircraft parking areas were hit. Aviastar, part of the United Aircraft Corporation, produces Il-76MD-90A heavy military transport aircraft, Il-78M-90A refueling aircraft, and provides maintenance for An-124 Ruslan cargo aircraft. Ukrainian military officials reported that some aircraft sustained varying degrees of damage, and the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.

The following day, a strike hit the 123rd aircraft maintenance plant in Staraya Russia, Novgorod region. This facility is responsible for the repair and modernization of heavy transport planes, including Ilyushin-76, Ilyushin-78, and L-410 aircraft. Ukraine’s drone forces stated that striking such targets directly reduces Russia’s ability to restore and sustain combat-ready aircraft.

Internal Criticism of Putin’s Leadership Emerges

A notable shift in the Russian political climate occurred with Ilya Remeslo, a previously staunch supporter of Putin, publicly criticizing the president and the war in Ukraine. Remeslo posted a manifesto to his 90,000 Telegram followers, accusing Putin of waging a “failing war” that has caused significant casualties and economic damage. He called for Putin to step aside.

Other Developments

• Sanctions Evasion: Spanish police arrested three individuals in Mallorca for allegedly assisting a Russian national in evading EU sanctions. The individual, identified by Spanish media as Nikolai Kolesov, heads a major supplier of helicopters to the Russian army.
• Abramovich Funds: UK officials are preparing for a potential court case against Roman Abramovich after he missed a deadline to release £2.4 billion raised from the sale of Chelsea FC.
• Mediterranean Attack: Russia considers the attack on a Russian LNG tanker in the Mediterranean Sea an act of “international terrorism.”
• Territorial Claims: The Russian defense ministry claimed to have captured the village of Oleksandrivka in Ukraine’s Donetsk region.
• EU Relations: A call by the Belgian prime minister, Bart De Wever, to normalize relations with Moscow drew criticism, running counter to official EU policies.
• NATO Infrastructure: A senior NATO military officer proposed extending the alliance’s cold war-era fuel pipeline network eastward to ensure sufficient supplies in case of a future conflict with Russia.

These developments highlight the escalating pressure on Russia both militarily and internally, as Ukraine continues its counteroffensive and dissent grows within the Russian establishment.