Ukrainian forces have launched a missile attack deep inside Russia, hitting a major military plant in the city of Cheboksary, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The FP-5 Flamingo cruise missiles struck the VNIIR-Progress plant, which supplies components for drones and missiles to the Russian army.

Local officials reported three injuries from the attack. Cheboksary, located in the Chuvash Republic, is more than 900 km (560 miles) from the front line.

Ukraine also claimed hits on the Moscow-occupied port of Mariupol on the Sea of Azov, an oil refinery in Samara, and a "shadow fleet" oil tanker in the Black Sea. In recent months, Kyiv has intensified drone strikes on key Russian facilities, though missile attacks deep inside Russia have been rare.

Russia's military said its air defense units intercepted or shot down 326 Ukrainian drones overnight. Ukraine's air force reported downing 181 of 207 Russian-launched drones, admitting 21 direct hits across 14 locations.

At least two people were killed and 26 injured, including two children, in four Ukrainian regions over the past 24 hours, local officials said. Zelensky posted footage on Telegram claiming to show a missile flying toward its target and smoke from the facility.

The FP-5 Flamingo missile carries a 1,150 kg (2,535 lbs) warhead and has a reported range of 3,000 km, putting Moscow and other major Russian cities within reach. Ukraine, with Western allies, is actively developing other missiles to maximize Russia's war costs and force Moscow to seek a settlement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected all negotiation proposals. Last week, he said he saw no point in meeting Zelensky, despite claims of advancing troops, though the front line has remained largely static for months.

Source: www.bbc.com