Russian missiles struck an under-construction drone factory of Turkish defense company Baykar in Kyiv, dealing a major blow to Ukraine’s drone production plans. The plant was being built to manufacture the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci drones, which have played a key role in Ukraine’s fight against Russia since 2022.
According to Turkish media reports, the site was hit by two missiles, causing widespread damage. Although the facility, operated by Baykar’s Ukrainian subsidiary LLC Avia Ventures, was nearing completion, it had not yet begun production.
Baykar’s press office confirmed the strike, saying the company was closely monitoring the situation. The attack led to explosions and a large fire, which Ukrainian emergency services attempted to extinguish with the help of specialized helicopters, local outlets reported.
The $95.5 million project, launched in 2019, was meant to expand Baykar’s presence in Ukraine. This latest strike marks the fourth Russian attack on the facility in just six months.
Earlier this month, on August 20, Ukrainian forces using Bayraktar TB2 drones targeted a Russian vessel near Kherson, killing five crew members with laser-guided munitions.
