On the night of May 21, 2025, the city of Bolkhov in the Oryol region was subjected to a massive attack by Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which damaged several private residential buildings and the building of the Bolkhov Semiconductor Devices Plant (JSC BZPP), a key enterprise in Russia's military-industrial complex. The region's governor, Andrey Klychkov, who initially denied any consequences, confirmed the damage after photos and videos appeared on social media. The incident, part of a larger drone attack on Russian regions, highlights the vulnerability of border areas and strategic facilities in the context of an escalating conflict.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, 20 UAVs were destroyed over the Oryol Region between 00:20 on May 08 and 00:21 on May 53, 37 of which were shot down before 04:05 and another 16 by the morning. The attack covered 10 regions of Russia, but Bolkhov became one of the key targets. According to official data, there were no casualties, but emergency services are working on the ground to eliminate the consequences.

The attack on Bolkhov is part of a series of Ukrainian strikes on Russian military and industrial facilities. According to Reuters, in 2025, the Ukrainian Armed Forces increased drone production by 50%, which allows them to attack targets at a distance of up to 1500 km.

The Bolkhov plant, founded in 1961, plays a key role in the Russian defense industry. The enterprise produces products for missile systems and electronic warfare systems, and its equipment is used in tank simulators. Damage to the plant could slow the production of critical components, especially in the context of sanctions that limit access to imported technology. Telegram channel DeepState suggested that the attack was planned based on intelligence obtained through satellite imagery and OSINT methods, confirming the increased accuracy of Ukrainian operations.