Russian billionaire warns of production collapse after Ukrainian drone strikes
Ukrainian strike drone (Photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian drones are paralyzing Russia's nitrogen fertilizer industry. Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko acknowledged significant production losses and warned of rising fertilizer prices on the global market, reports Reuters.
The founder of EuroChem, billionaire Andrei Melnichenko, emphasized that Russia provides a fifth of the world's fertilizer exports, but its capabilities are now limited. Strikes on major enterprises prevent the aggressor from increasing production capacity.
"Well-known events occurring on our country's territory are leading to increased drone attacks on Russian (fertiliser) enterprises," Melnichenko said during a conference in Moscow.
He recalled the strike on February 25, when a Ukrainian drone attacked Dorogobuzh – one of the country's most powerful plants, belonging to the Akron group. As a result, 5% of Russia's total production capacity was taken out of service, ammonium nitrate production was halted (the plant accounted for 11% of the Russian market), and production lines are now scheduled to restart only in May.
What is currently happening with Russian fertilizer exports
Reuters recalls that Russia controls up to 40% of the ammonium nitrate market, but on March 21, Moscow officially suspended exports of this fertilizer. Domestic restrictions and sanctions are forcing producers to seek new logistical routes.
Russian businessmen admit that switching to local ports instead of European ones took six months. However, even the new logistics do not save them from drones, which are systematically destroying the enemy's industrial base.
What is known about the strikes by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Russia
The day before, Ukraine's Defense Forces damaged two Russian oil depots in Crimea. At the oil depot in Oktiabrske, at least one tank was damaged. Damage is also visible on the tanks of the oil depot near Hlybokyi Yar. There, at least five tanks of various sizes have been destroyed or damaged.
Ukrainian drones also struck the Russian chemical enterprise PhosAgro in Cherepovets. The plant's products serve as raw material for the production of TNT, hexogen, and other components used in the manufacture of ammunition for the Russian army.
Also, at the beginning of April, unknown drones attacked the Voronezh region. A fire broke out near the Minudobreniya plant in the town of Rossosh, one of the country's key chemical plants.
