A drone attack has caused explosions at a Russian steelmaker, marking the latest in a series of industrial facility fires in the country. The incident occurred on the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, amid a surge in drone strikes targeting energy and military infrastructure in Russia. While Moscow often attributes these attacks to Ukraine, Kyiv typically does not immediately claim responsibility. The use of drones and missiles in strikes on Ukrainian civilian targets has been reported by Russian sources.
The blaze at the main plant of Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK), located approximately 280 miles from the Russia-Ukraine border, was stated by Igor Artamonov, Lipetsk regional governor, to be caused by a drone. Although Artamonov did not explicitly mention Ukraine, he confirmed that there were no casualties resulting from the incident. Images shared on social media depicted a large orange flame illuminating the night sky following the outbreak of the fire around 1:40 a.m. local time.
The NLMK plant is a significant production facility specializing in flat steel products, accounting for 18% of Russia’s total steel production. Owned by Russian billionaire Vladimir Lisin, the plant’s destruction—reported by Ukrainian news outlet TSN due to a suspected attack by Ukraine’s Security Service and Main Intelligence Directorate—has prompted a full evacuation of workers. The disruption of the facility, which has historically supplied materials for nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, is expected to impact its operational capabilities for an extended period.
In response to the incident, Russia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed the interception of drones in various regions, including the shooting down of two drones in the Lipetsk region. Additionally, there have been reports of suspected Ukrainian drone strikes targeting critical infrastructure deep inside Russia, with oil refineries being a primary focus. Recent drone attacks on Russian facilities, such as the Lukoil site in Volgograd and the Nevsky Mazut refinery in St. Petersburg, have raised concerns about the escalating conflict between the two nations.
Furthermore, Russia’s deployment of Iranian-made drones on Ukraine’s southern oblasts, as well as missile launches from the Sea of Azov towards Ukrainian territory, underscore the ongoing military engagements between the two countries. Ukrainian authorities have reported multiple attacks on northeastern regions, detailing the significant number of explosions and targeted communities. The continuous cycle of attacks and retaliations reflects the persistent tensions and hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, with potential far-reaching consequences for the region’s stability.