‘Chemical Giant’ Hit: Ukraine Strikes Russian Apatit Plant for Second Time

Ukraine confirms a drone strike on Russia’s Apatit chemical plant in Cherepovets – a key producer linked to explosives – marking the second hit on the facility in a month. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied (Photo by Ukrainian monitoring channel Exilenova+) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Robert “Madyar” Brovdy, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces , confirmed a strike on the Russian chemical plant Apatit in Cherepovets – the second attack on the facility within a month. Writing on Telegram , he described the plant as: Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “A chemical worm giant that produces hundreds of thousands of tons of ammonia, nitrate and nitric acid per year. The products serve as raw materials for the production of TNT, hexogen and other components in the manufacture of ammunition.” In the early hours of Monday, April 13, drones targeted the industrial zone in Cherepovets, where the Apatit plant – part of the PhosAgro group – is located. Cherepovets lies more than 800 kilometers (500 miles) from the Ukrainian border. A fire broke out at the plant following the strike. Regional authorities reported only the alleged downing of drones, without acknowledging damage to the facility. According to OSINT analysts CyberBoroshno , black smoke was observed at two of the plant’s three ammonia units, which have a combined annual capacity of 900,000 tons. There were also reports of a possible strike on ammonia storage facilities, which had been reinforced with protective metal structures after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. “The affected production provides about 6% of ammonia production in Russia, and in total the plant is responsible for about 10% of all ammonia production,” the analysts said. Other Topics of Interest Ukraine Can Produce Millions of FPV Drones a Year, Zelensky Says “The enemy will feel it,” Zelensky said, as he touted Ukraine’s growing ability to build drones, missiles and robotic systems for the battlefield. Local residents in city chat groups were reportedly advised to stock up on gauze masks and water containers and to seal their homes – measures possibly linked to damage at hazardous chemical facilities, according to Russian outlet Astra. The plant had previously been targeted on the night of March 27. An open-source analyst then reported that drones struck the Apatit plant, adding that at least one Russian air defense missile was launched in response. Videos circulating online showed explosions at the site. Regional governor Georgy Filimonov confirmed the drone attack on an industrial facility in the region, stating that eight impacts were recorded. He claimed there was no damage to critical infrastructure and no casualties. Filimonov later added that 10 drones had been shot down over the industrial area. The Ukrainian monitoring channel Exilenova+ responded to the governor’s statement, writing: “The governor reports to the Defense Forces on the successful operation. Attack drones flew over 1,000 km while jamming the internet, blocking social media, and driving Russians into the FSB’s control through the MAX messenger, and hit one of the largest chemical plants in Europe, a leading global producer of phosphate fertilizers.” According to the report, the plant’s products are exported to Europe, Asia, and Latin America and are used in the production of ammunition, equipment, and other materials for the Russian military. Julia is a Deputy Head of News and correspondent for Kyiv Post who has previously worked as a parliamentary editor, journalist, and news editor. She has specialized in covering the work of the Ukrainian parliament, government, and law enforcement agencies.