A military factory is on fire in Cheboksary, Russia, following an attack: what we know
5 May 05:47
In the Russian city of Cheboksary, the capital of Chuvashia, a fire broke out at the “VNDI-Progress” defense plant following a nighttime attack. According to media reports and eyewitnesses, the plant manufactures equipment for the Russian military, including anti-drone systems and electronic warfare equipment, reports "Komersant Ukrainian"
Meanwhile, local Russian authorities limited themselves to reporting a threat of shelling and stated that there were no casualties.
What happened in Cheboksary
Explosions were heard in Cheboksary on the night of May 4. Following this, reports emerged of a fire at the “VNDI-Progress” facility.
According to Telegram channels, local residents reported strikes in the area of the plant.
Russian authorities have not officially confirmed the extent of the damage at the facility, but stated that emergency services were on the scene and that there were no casualties.
What “VNDIR-Progress” produces
The “VNDIR-Progress” plant has previously been mentioned in reports of attacks on Russian defense facilities. In 2025, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported a strike on this plant, and “Nastoyashchee Vremya” wrote that the plant manufactures antennas for Russian military drones.
The plant is also linked to the production of components for Russian electronic warfare systems and equipment that could be used in the war against Ukraine.
Airport operations were massively restricted in Russia
Amid the nighttime attack, some Russian regions reported air threats. According to media reports, temporary restrictions on flight arrivals and departures were imposed in 15 Russian cities at once.
This included airports in the following cities:
- Perm;
- Chelyabinsk;
- Cheboksary;
- Orsk;
- Izhevsk;
- Tambov;
- Orenburg;
- Ufa;
- Ulyanovsk;
- Kazan;
- Nizhnekamsk;
- Penza;
- Nizhny Novgorod;
- Pskov;
- Samara.
Restrictions were imposed at airports due to the threat of drone attacks.
Why a strike against such an enterprise is important
“VNIIR-Progress” is not a civilian commercial facility, but a company linked to the Russian military-industrial complex. It is precisely such factories that supply the Russian army with components for drones, electronic warfare systems, and other equipment.
Attacks on military and defense facilities within Russian territory demonstrate that the war is increasingly spilling over into Russian territory—specifically targeting facilities that serve the Russian military.
This is not the first time that “VNDI-Progress” has been attacked by drones. In June 2025, the head of Chuvashia reported a drone strike on VNDIR JSC, after which the facility suspended operations. At that time, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the strike on VNDIR-Progress in Cheboksary.
Also, in February 2026, media reported new explosions in Cheboksary and a possible strike on the same facility.
