Novomoskovsk, Russia. Ukraine struck a chemical plant in Russia’s Tula region for the second time in two weeks during a large wave of overnight drone attacks, according to Russian and Ukrainian Telegram channels. Russian officials said an industrial facility was damaged, electricity lines were hit, and one woman was injured.
Plant identified in reports
Regional governor Dmitry Milyayev said an industrial facility in Novomoskovsk, about 200 km south of Moscow, had been damaged.
Multiple news reports identified the facility as the Azot plant, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has described as critical to Russia’s production of explosives.
Azot describes itself as Russia’s largest producer of ammonia and nitrogen fertilisers. According to Zelenskiy, the plant was previously hit on June 14.
Broader drone campaign
Ukraine has intensified drone strikes deep inside Russia this year as part of a strategy to inflict economic damage and weaken Moscow’s ability to sustain the war.
Targets have included oil refineries, terminals, ports and industrial facilities. In some cases, Ukraine has launched repeat attacks on the same site within days or weeks, disrupting repair efforts and the restart of operations.
Russian account of overnight attacks
Milyayev said electricity lines in the Tula region were also damaged and that one woman was injured.
State news agency TASS reported that the number of drones fired by Ukraine was the highest this year. The Russian Defence Ministry said 660 drones were destroyed over 12 Russian regions and Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.