Ukrainian forces struck two Iskander missile launchers and a Pantsir-S1 air defense system in Russia’s Bryansk Oblast between Nov. 6 and 7, according to the General Staff. The military confirmed hits on the launchers but is still clarifying the extent of damage to the systems. These strikes followed several waves of Russian ballistic missiles that hit Kyiv overnight on Nov. 6 to 7. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia fired 36 ballistic missiles aimed at Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast, targeting substations connecting nuclear power plants to central oblasts. He commented that "Russia is preparing for the trilateral talks by launching ballistic missiles at Ukrainian critical infrastructure." Since early 2026, Moscow has launched more than 500 ballistic missiles against Ukraine, with Kyiv’s intelligence estimating monthly production exceeds 200 units.
Deep strikes on industry and energy
Ukraine’s missile forces used Neptune coastal systems to hit the Proton-Elektrotex factory in Oryol, a leading manufacturer of optoelectronic equipment. The General Staff reported a direct hit caused fires and explosions, complicating component production for cruise and ballistic missiles. The Neptune system has a maximum range of 300 kilometers and previously sank the Moskva flagship in April 2022. In Saratov, monitoring channel Exilenova Plus reported the Saratov Oil Refinery was set ablaze after being targeted by Ukrainian forces. Governor Roman Busargin noted that several residential buildings were damaged by drone attacks, though no casualties were reported. Local administration specialists were sent to assess the damage immediately. This refinery had not been hit since Sept. 11, making this attack a significant escalation in frequency.
A large fire also broke out near the Almaz military factory in Rostov, while explosions were reported in Belgorod. Rostov Oblast governor Yuri Slyusar said more than 50 drones were destroyed across six districts during the response. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its air defense intercepted or destroyed 411 Ukrainian drones over ten regions, including Crimea and the Black Sea. Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk pointed to these strikes as evidence of a gradual depletion of Russian air defense capabilities. He observed that some facilities, even military airfields, have no air defense cover at all within the so-called Russian Federation. "In some places they have one Pantsir system, in others two," Pletenchuk said, contrasting this with dozens deployed near Vladimir Putin’s residence in Valdai. A single Pantsir-S1 system costs between $15 million and $20 million, according to Ukraine’s Security Service. The shortage is clearly visible as Ukrainian forces continue to strike deep into Russian territory to diminish Moscow’s ability to wage war.
