One of Russia's biggest chemical plants attacked: Why it matters

What Russia said

According to the governor of the Samara region, Vyacheslav Fedorishchev, in the morning, drones allegedly tried to attack one of the industrial enterprises in the region. According to him, all drones were destroyed by Russian air defense forces.

"There were no casualties or damage," Fedorishchev assured.

He also said that mobile Internet was temporarily restricted in the region, explaining that it was for security reasons. According to the head of the region, such measures "help the military to suppress enemy UAVs more effectively."

Kovalenko's explanation

The attacked plant is the Novokuibyshevsk Petrochemical Company, one of the largest Russian enterprises in the field of gas processing and petrochemicals, which is part of the production chain of the aggressor country's military-industrial complex.

The company produces raw materials for explosives: benzene, phenol, acetone, alphamethylstyrene, synthetic ethyl alcohol, and para-tert-butylphenol.

"These components are used in the production of TNT, hexogen, tetryl, and other types of explosives. They are also used to equip artillery shells, aircraft bombs, cluster munitions, and rockets," he explained.

According to Kovalenko, the annual processing volume at the plant reaches about 1 million tons.

Drone attacks on Russia

On July 17, unidentified drones attacked the Shchekinoazot chemical plant in the Tula region of Russia. The company produces substances used in the production of missiles and drones.

Earlier, RBC-Ukraine's sources reported that cyber specialists from the Defense Intelligence attacked the Russian company Gaskar Integration, which is one of the largest drone manufacturers. A cyberattack paralyzed the company's work.

In late June, unknown drones hit the Atlas oil depot in the Rostov region, which supplied fuel to the Russian army.