Ukraine strikes Russian missile, satellite components manufacturer, Ufa refinery, Zelensky confirms

Ukrainian drones struck the JSC Research Institute of Physical Measurements (NIIFI), a Russian defense industry enterprise in the Penza region, and an oil refinery in the city of Ufa overnight on July 1, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, as explosions were also reported in the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk.

Zelensky said Ukrainian forces had struck a "strategic" Russian defense industry facility in the Penza region that develops and manufactures components for missile weapons used in attacks against Ukrainian cities and communities.

Ukraine's General Staff later identified the target as JSC Research Institute of Physical Measurements (NIIFI), one of Russia's leading manufacturers of space, aviation, and military instrumentation. The enterprise is part of Russian Space Systems, a subsidiary of the state-owned Roscosmos corporation, and manufactures sensors for Iskander, Kalibr, and Kh-101 missiles, components for Su-34, Su-35, and Tu-95MS aircraft, as well as equipment for Russian military satellites.

The General Staff said confirmed strikes and smoke were recorded at the facility, while the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.

Penza is located approximately 550 kilometers (340 miles) northeast of Ukraine's border with Russia.

The president also confirmed another strike on the oil refinery in Ufa, describing it as one of Russia's largest producers of lubricants. According to Zelensky, the refinery is located more than 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) from the front line.

"Every day our plan of Ukrainian long-range sanctions is being carried out. This is an entirely just response to everything Russia is doing against us," Zelensky said.

Earlier in the night, explosions were also reported in the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk, followed by a fire, according to the Telegram channel Exilenova Plus. It remains unclear what was struck in the city.

Separately, the General Staff said Ukrainian forces struck a road bridge over the Malyi Kalchyk River in Donetsk Oblast, a railway bridge over the Tepla River near occupied Nyzhnioteple in Luhansk Oblast, and a military logistics crossing near occupied Novoocheretuvate in Donetsk Oblast. According to the military, Russian forces use the crossings to transport personnel, weapons, ammunition, and military supplies.

The military also reported strikes on a fuel depot in occupied Melitopol, three military logistics warehouses in Russia's Kursk Oblast and occupied parts of Donetsk and Kharkiv oblasts, as well as five Russian drone command posts in occupied Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk oblasts.

The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the reported strikes or the extent of the damage.

Ukraine regularly strikes military infrastructure deep within Russia and occupied territories in an effort to diminish Moscow's ability to continue waging its war.

On June 30, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia's Dubna Space Communications Center in Moscow Oblast was struck again, adding that Ukraine was "gradually carrying out its plan of long-range sanctions" against Russia.

Ukraine previously struck the site on June 22. The General Staff said the attack damaged a 32-meter MARK-IV satellite communications antenna and the facility's main control building, which supports Russian military communications, intelligence, and satellite operations.