Ukraine Hits Russian Azot Plant Again, Key Supplier of Explosives Components
Ukraine has carried out another drone strike on the Azot chemical plant in Novomoskovsk, a critical node in Russia’s military-industrial supply chain and the country’s second-largest producer of ammonium nitrate, a substance widely used in explosives manufacturing.
The strike occurred overnight and was recorded on multiple Russian social media channels. Video footage shows the moment of detonation and the resulting fire, which continued for several hours. Authorities in Russia’s Tula region confirmed the incident and reported damage to the facility but offered no details about casualties or the specific areas impacted.
The Azot plant is operated by EuroChem, a multinational fertilizer giant headquartered in Switzerland but ultimately controlled by Russian businessman Andrey Melnichenko, who has been sanctioned by the EU and several other jurisdictions. The Novomoskovsk site, a remnant of the Soviet industrial system, plays a dual-use role—producing fertilizers for agriculture, but also raw materials for military use.
According to Russian procurement databases and open-source reporting, ammonium nitrate from Azot is regularly shipped to defense-linked companies producing aerial bombs, artillery shells, and other explosives used in Ukraine. The plant has become a frequent focus of Ukrainian drone strikes in recent months due to its contribution to Russia’s wartime logistics.
This marks at least the second time since May that the Azot facility has been targeted. Satellite imagery from this latest attack shows more extensive fire damage than previous incidents, with signs of disruption to chemical storage and processing infrastructure. Defense analysts note that strikes on plants like Azot can delay production and distribution of explosives for weeks or months, depending on damage to internal systems and supply links.
Kyiv did not officially claim responsibility for the strike, maintaining its policy of not commenting on operations conducted deep inside Russian territory. However, Ukrainian officials have consistently reiterated that facilities contributing to Russia’s war effort—including chemical plants, oil depots, and rail hubs—fall within the scope of legitimate military targets under international law.
The drone used in the strike is believed to be part of Ukraine’s growing fleet of domestically produced long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, capable of reaching well over 1,000 kilometers behind enemy lines. These systems have played a key role in Kyiv’s strategy of degrading Russian capabilities far from the front.
EuroChem has not issued a public response regarding the incident at Novomoskovsk. The company operates several other facilities in Russia and Europe, including production hubs in Belgium and Germany. It remains under international scrutiny due to its ties to Russian strategic sectors.
As of Sunday, local Russian officials have not disclosed the extent of material loss or whether operations at the plant have been suspended.
