Ukrainian Armed Forces drones attacked one of Russia’s largest factories producing components for explosives
16 May 11:17
A fire broke out at the Nevinnomysskiy Azot plant—one of Russia’s largest producers of mineral fertilizers and chemicals used in the manufacture of explosives—following a nighttime drone strike by Ukrainian forces on the Stavropol Krai. This is reported by monitoring resources, which are publishing footage from eyewitnesses showing the glow of the fire, likely in the vicinity of the plant. The fire broke out “in the area of large-scale ammonia production, where the workshop with primary reforming furnaces is located,” reports "Komersant Ukrainian", citing Russian propaganda media.
Astra also reports that the fire broke out specifically at “Nevinnomysskiy Azot,” citing reports from local residents and the results of an analysis of photos and videos from the scene. The publication notes that this is at least the sixth attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the facility since the start of the war. The previous strike took place on the night of December 3, 2025. The plant, owned by Russia’s largest fertilizer producer, EuroChem, produces ammonia, urea, melamine, ammonium nitrate, liquid nitrogen fertilizers, acetic acid, and vinyl acetate.
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According to the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, “Nevinnomyssk Azot” is a “critical element” of the Russian military-industrial complex. The plant produces up to 1 million tons of ammonia and over 1 million tons of ammonium nitrate annually, which are used in the manufacture of explosives and artillery shells. In turn, melamine, acetic acid, methanol, and potassium nitrate are used to manufacture high-explosive munitions and rocket propellants. The plant’s products are supplied, in particular, to the Sverdlov Plant in Dzerzhinsk, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast.
The night attack on the Stavropol Krai was confirmed by the region’s governor, Vladimir Vladimirov. He claims that air defense forces “repelled a raid by enemy UAVs” near Nevinnomyssk. According to the governor, there were no casualties or damage.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, over the course of the night, air defense and electronic warfare forces intercepted 138 Ukrainian drones in 15 Russian regions, as well as over the waters of the Azov and Black Seas. However, Stavropol is not mentioned in the report.
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