Two residents of Cherepovets, a city in Russia’s Vologda region, were compelled to publicly apologize after sharing a video online that depicted the aftermath of a drone strike on the city’s industrial area. The footage was initially published by the local news agency, Cherepovets, which is affiliated with the municipal government.
The drone strike occurred on April 13 at the Apatit factory, resulting in a fire on the premises. This attack was later confirmed by Robert Brovdi, the commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ drone units.
According to Cherepovets news agency, the individuals responsible for the video were identified and summoned for discussions with law enforcement officials. The agency noted that they face potential legal repercussions under Russian law.
“I would like to apologize for what happened, causing panic and fear among people: mothers, fathers, and children. I understand the consequences and will not act this way again,” said one of the men involved.
The Apatit factory is part of the Cherepovets chemical cluster owned by the PhosAgro group. The company’s website states that it is the largest producer of phosphorus-based fertilizers in Europe and a leading manufacturer of NPK fertilizers, ammonia, and ammonium nitrate in Russia.
Brovdi described the Apatit factory as a “chemical giant” that produces hundreds of thousands of tons of ammonia, nitrate, and nitric acid annually. He emphasized that these products are raw materials for the production of explosives, including TNT and hexogen.
In Cherepovets, two residents issued public apologies after posting a video of a drone strike on a local factory. The incident highlights the legal risks associated with sharing sensitive information in the region.