A major petrochemical plant in Russia’s Samara region was targeted in a drone strike overnight on July 21-22, Ukrainian officials said Tuesday.
According to Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, the Novokuybyshevsk Petrochemical Company was hit.
He said the plant is one of Russia’s largest producers of materials used to make explosives, including chemicals like benzene, phenol, and acetone, which are used in the production of artillery shells, aerial bombs, and missiles.
The plant reportedly processes up to 1 million tons of chemical materiel each year and is part of the supply chain for Russia’s military-industrial complex.
Russian officials gave a different account. The governor of Samara region, Vyacheslav Fedorishchev, said drones attempted to attack an industrial site but were destroyed by air defenses.
He claimed there were no casualties or damage. Authorities also briefly restricted mobile internet in the area, saying it would help military units better counter enemy drones.
There has been no independent confirmation of damage to the facility.