A massive drone strike on May 21 devastated the Bolkhov Plant of Semiconductor Devices (BZPP) in Oryol Oblast—a key supplier of electronic components to Russia’s defense and aerospace sectors.
According to the Russian Defence Ministry, 150 drones targeted several regions, with confirmed damage in Bolkhov. The attack led to airport restrictions and left the BZPP facility completely inoperable.
Telegram channel "Beware, News" released detailed images and videos showing the aftermath of the strike, including a massive fire and extensive structural damage Most of the production equipment was either incinerated or destroyed in the blast.
BZPP was one of the most important producers of semiconductor devices for Russia’s military-industrial complex. The plant manufactured over 200 types of components and had fulfilled more than 2,000 orders under the state defense procurement program. Its products were used in weapons systems and space technologies and delivered to more than 560 defense-related enterprises across the country.
BZPP maintained significant ties with key Russian defense companies. Among its major clients incude :
These organizations develop systems used in nuclear weapons, spacecraft control systems, aircraft automation, and advanced electronic warfare technologies.
Oryol Oblast Governor Andrey Klitschkov confirmed that the Bolkhov strike also affected civilian infrastructure. “As a result of a massive enemy drone attack in Bolkhov, several private homes and the semiconductor plant were damaged. Response teams are working at the site. Thankfully, there were no casualties,” he said.
Located just 190 km from the Ukrainian border at coordinates 53.440502, 36.015221, this marks the first known Ukrainian drone attack on the Bolkhov facility. Ukrainian outlet Astra confirmed the operation, describing the plant as a major hub for electronics used in Russian warfare technologies.
This strike follows a similar attack on May 7, when a Ukrainian drone destroyed a newly built workshop at the Scheglovsky Val plant in Tula, which manufactures the Pantsir-S1 air defense system. Satellite imagery showed the building completely obliterated, leaving a large burn scar.