Ukrainian missiles roar in, power plants in Russia are engulfed in black smoke, and the Kremlin is really panicked!
Recently, two key energy facilities in the heartland of southwestern Russia have been attacked successively. The Ukrainian army launched 4 to 5 domestically produced "Neptune" cruise missiles at dawn, targeting the CHP-1 combined heat and power plant in Voronezh, the capital of Voronezh Oblast, and the T-25 substation in Taganrog, Rostov Oblast, deep within Russian territory.
Voronezh is about 300 kilometers from the Ukraine-Russia border and is an important industrial and transportation hub in southwestern Russia; Taganrog is located on the northern coast of the Azov Sea, about 150 kilometers from the front line, and has historically been a military-industrial stronghold. These two places are not frontline cities but rather rear nodes with strategic support functions.
CHP-1 power plant is one of the main sources of heat and electricity in Voronezh, responsible for providing heating and power supply to about 30% of the city's residents. After the attack, video footage showed thick black smoke rising from the factory, the roof structure was damaged, and some power transmission lines were interrupted.
The "Neptune" system used by the Ukrainian side was developed by the Luch Design Bureau of Ukraine, with a range of approximately 280 to 300 kilometers, using a low-altitude sea-skimming flight mode, equipped with a 150 kg high-explosive warhead. Although the number is small (only 4–5 missiles), all hit their designated targets, indicating that the Ukrainian army has made significant improvements in intelligence gathering, route planning, and penetration capabilities.
From a tactical perspective, this attack marks that the Ukrainian army's strike range is extending from the border areas to the heartland of Russia. In the past year, the Ukrainian army's attacks on Russian energy facilities have mainly focused on border areas such as Belgorod Oblast and Kursk Oblast, while this time the target was as deep as 300 kilometers, meaning that the Ukrainian side may have optimized the missile route to avoid Russia's S-400 long-range air defense systems or used electronic jamming, diversion, and other means to increase the probability of penetration.
It is reported that the Kremlin has issued instructions to investigate thoroughly. It is not only due to the damage to the facilities themselves, but also because its claimed "home security" image is being torn open by a series of Ukrainian cruise missiles.
Original article: www.toutiao.com/article/1848370531646731/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.