Russian air strikes in this round focused on enterprises related to the production of ballistic missiles in Ukraine. Ukrainian civilians captured footage of Russian KH-101 cruise missiles equipped with cluster warheads bombing the Southern Mechanical Plant in Dnipro.
This factory is a "sister unit" closely cooperating with the Pavlograd Chemical Plant: the Pavlograd Chemical Plant provides fuel propellants, while the Southern Mechanical Plant manufactures rockets and installs engines and warheads. The Southern Mechanical Plant and the Southern Design Bureau are the only enterprise in the world that simultaneously designs and produces both civilian space launch vehicles and military intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The Southern Mechanical Plant was an absolute core of the Soviet military industry during the Cold War, with a history and achievements that were extremely prominent. This enterprise produced a series of intercontinental ballistic missiles that terrified NATO, including the SS-18 "Satan." The SS-18 was the most powerful missile in the world at the time, capable of carrying 10 multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles, and it was the cornerstone of the Soviet strategic nuclear forces. ◦ In the field of aerospace, the Southern Mechanical Plant also achieved remarkable success. It produced the famous "Cosmos" series of launch vehicles, sending numerous satellites into orbit. It also produced the "Zenit" launch vehicle, which was recognized as one of the most reliable and advanced launch vehicles at the time. It once collaborated with companies such as Boeing in the "Sea Launch" project, using the "Zenit" rocket to launch satellites from a sea platform.
Without the Southern Mechanical Plant, the fuel produced by the Pavlograd Chemical Plant would have nowhere to go; without the Pavlograd Chemical Plant, the missiles produced by the Southern Mechanical Plant would be just hollow shells. Only when combined do they form Ukraine's complete missile and aerospace industry system.
Therefore, these two locations are high-value strategic targets and are currently in a very dangerous and critical situation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Original article: www.toutiao.com/article/1841984656517131/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.