A drone strike on April 13 targeted the “Apatit” chemical plant in Cherepovets, Russia, a facility known for producing ammonia and ammonium nitrate. This incident has raised concerns due to the plant’s role in supplying materials for military applications.
According to local reports, the attack occurred in the industrial zone where the plant is situated, which is part of the “PhosAgro” group. Following the strike, a fire was reported at the facility. However, regional authorities initially stated only that drones had been intercepted, without confirming any damage to the plant itself.
Open-source intelligence analysts indicated that the strike specifically impacted the ammonia production units, “Ammonia-1” and “Ammonia-2,” which have a combined capacity of approximately 900,000 tons per year. This facility accounts for about 10% of Russia’s ammonia production, making its output critical for various industries, including defense.
The ammonia produced at the plant serves as a key raw material in the manufacturing of explosives, including TNT and hexogen. The implications of this attack on both the local economy and national defense capabilities are yet to be fully assessed.
A drone strike on the "Apatit" chemical plant in Cherepovets has raised concerns over its role in defense production. The facility, which produces significant quantities of ammonia, is crucial for military applications.