Five factories for "Iskanders": a satellite reveals new engine production sites for the Russian Armed Forces (photos).

Russia is constructing or renovating five production facilities that will manufacture solid-fuel engines for Russian Federation missiles. These engines are used, among other applications, in the Iskander-M ballistic missiles and the Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles. Fabian Ginz, a researcher in defense and military analysis, explained where these factories will be located and what types of products they are likely to produce. His insights were shared on November 18 on the website of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

The institute's analysts examined a series of images of Russian territory taken by Maxar satellites from July to October 2024. The photos revealed five sites where Russia has begun the restoration or construction of factories or workshops for the production of solid-fuel engines for various types of missiles. It was noted that the Kremlin is reopening old workshops that date back to the Soviet era and is building new infrastructure.

The images show five locations where Russian efforts are evident: Biysk (Novosibirsk region, over 3,000 km from Ukraine), Kamensk-Shakhtinsky (near Luhansk, 200 km from the front line), Dzerzhinsk (near Moscow, 460 km away), and the settlement named after Morozov (near St. Petersburg, 1,000 km away). Analysts observed newly cleared areas, new structures, new buildings, and restored workshops in the satellite images.

The article explains that solid-fuel engines are used in missiles deployed by the Russian Armed Forces for strikes against Ukraine. The new facilities will produce engines for the Iskander-M (ballistic), Tornado-S (MLRS), and the S-300P and S-400 air defense systems. These engines are also fitted on intercontinental ballistic missiles and ballistic missiles launched from submarines. It is noteworthy that the Kremlin rarely boasts about achievements in this area, preferring to highlight design bureaus focused on missile development.

Coordinates of the missile engine production facilities and their product lines

• Biysk (Novosibirsk region) — 52.4902, 85.0456, has produced or is producing old Soviet UAVs, and the "Bulava" and "Topol" missiles;
• Kamensk-Shakhtinsky (near Luhansk) — 48.2976, 40.1825, produces missiles for the "Molodets," "Topol," "Uragan," "Smerch," and "Tornado" systems;
• Dzerzhinsk (near Moscow) — 55.6173, 37.8833, produces "Topol," "Topol-M," "Yars," "Iskander-M," "Bulava," and "Smerch" missiles;
• Perm — 57.9916, 55.8960, produces "Topol," "Topol-M," "Yars," and "Bulava" missiles;
• Settlement named after Morozov (near St. Petersburg) — 59.9907, 30.9864, produces "Topol," "Iskander," and "Topol-M" missiles.

If we mark the factories on a map, the furthest one is in Biysk, located 3,000 km from Ukraine. The closest are near Moscow (400 km) and beyond Luhansk (200 km).

"The expansion of solid-fuel production capacities could enable Russia to replenish and enhance its existing arsenal of key systems deployed in Ukraine," the analyst concluded, explaining that this is how Russia is attempting to address the shortages, with assistance from North Korea.

It is noteworthy that on the night of November 17, the Russian Armed Forces launched nearly 200 munitions against Ukraine, 120 of which were missiles of various types: from "Iskanders" to "Kalibrs," "Kinzhal," "Tsirkon," X-101, and others. The targets were energy facilities, as reported by President Volodymyr Zelensky: explosions were heard from Kremenchuk to Yaremche.

We remind you that on November 18, Fox gathered analysts' positions regarding the U.S. permission to strike deep into Russian territory. Meanwhile, the BBC clarified where Ukraine was permitted to fire American missiles.