Zelensky Says Hits on Rostov Plant, S-400 Post, Pantsir Cost Russia $70M

Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the “Kamensky” missile-production chemical enterprise in Russia’s Rostov region alongside high-value Russian air defense assets, destroying a Pantsir-S2 surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery complex and an S-400 Triumf command-and-staff vehicle with an aggregate value of approximately $70 million, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Sunday, Nov. 1. Writing on Telegram, the head of state characterized the precision strikes as an application of Kyiv’s sovereign long-range sanctions directly against the Kremlin’s defense-industrial base and air defense shield.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “Our long-range sanctions – in the Rostov region,” Zelensky stated. “The Kamensky plant was hit – an enterprise of the Russian military-industrial complex involved in the production of missiles.” The president confirmed that Ukrainian forces simultaneously neutralized high-tier air defense platforms protecting the military-industrial area. “The Ukrainian military struck a Pantsir-S2 complex and a command-and-staff vehicle of the S-400 Triumf system,” Zelensky stated. “The total value of the struck air defense assets is about $70 million.” Zelensky extended official commendations to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and partner branches of the Defense Forces of Ukraine for planning and executing the precision operation. “We are justly defending ourselves against Russian aggression and doing everything to reduce Russia’s capabilities to continue it,” the president emphasized. Other Topics of Interest Russia Extends Diesel Export Ban to 2027 With Trump Carve-Out Russia has extended its diesel export ban until January 2027 but created exemptions to ship 2.15 million tons in November under an arrangement with Donald Trump. Strategic missile propellant manufacturing at Kamensky The targeting of the Kamensky plant in Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, located roughly 20 kilometers east of the Ukrainian border in Rostov region, constitutes a direct blow to the Russian Federation’s production of solid rocket motors and guided munitions. The enterprise operates as a primary supplier for the Russian defense industry, specializing in the chemical synthesis of solid rocket propellants, propulsive charges, and specialized nitrocellulose compounds. The output of the Kamensky facility supplies propellant motors for multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS), including 220mm Uragan, 300mm Smerch, and modernized 300mm Tornado-S systems, as well as specialized rocket propellants integrated into tactical guided missiles and aircraft-delivered strike weapons. The presidential confirmation follows earlier operational assessments released by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which reported that overnight into Saturday, Oct. 31, a coordinated strike involving strike drones and Ukrainian Navy Neptune coastal cruise missiles in a land-attack role ignited a warehouse storing finished solid rocket propellant and inflicted structural damage on four production workshops across the facility. Broadened campaign against defense supply chains Concurrent with the Rostov operation, Ukrainian precision units executed synchronized strikes against four Russian military logistics depots across occupied Ukrainian territories, hitting supply bases near Khartsyzk and Dokuchaievsk in Donetsk region, Novovasylivka in Zaporizhzhia region, and Novoaidar in Luhansk region. The operation also coincides with resumed long-range interdictions against Russian downstream oil refining and chemical processing centers. Overnight into Sunday, Nov. 1, Ukrainian strike drones penetrated Nizhny Novgorod region, striking the 17-million-ton Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez refinery and the adjacent Novogorkovskaya combined heat and power plant in Kstovo, triggering large-scale blazes across Russia’s second-largest automotive gasoline production center. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.