At least four drones hit the facility before dawn. Sources in the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said the attack caused several fires on site.
Plant workers said one of the fractionating columns was damaged in the attack, causing a leak that subsequently ignited. In addition, a high-pressure steam pipeline connected to a thermal power plant was damaged. The roof of a furnace on the methanol production line was also damaged. As a result, the plant halted operations and evacuated employees.
Astra said residents of nearby Shchokin saw the fire on the morning of July 17 following the drone attack. However, Tula regional governor claimed that only “drone debris” had fallen on the grounds of a “local enterprise.”
The plant’s website describes Shchyokinoazot as one of Russia’s leading industrial chemical producers. It manufactures methanol, caprolactam, mineral fertilizers and sulfuric acid.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation (run by National Security and Defense Council), said the facility is an important producer of ammonia, methanol, and urea. He noted that these chemicals are essential for making explosives, solid rocket fuel, and synthetic materials for Russia’s military industry.
“The production of missiles, drones, and explosives for the Russian military is disrupted without this enterprise,” Kovalenko said.