Ukraine Launches Drone Attack on Russian Chemical Plant in Tula, Security Service Reports

Ukraine Launches Drone Attack on Russian

Ukraine launched a drone strike on the Aleksinsky Chemical Plant in Tula, Russia, in the early hours of Saturday, according to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). The SBU reported that at least 13 Ukrainian drones targeted the facility, leading to explosions and thick smoke. The plant’s gunpowder production shop, which produces ammunition for the Russian military, was the main target. The attack caused the release of acids, resulting in the emission of orange smoke. Staff were evacuated, and there were also reports of damage to the Aleksinskaya thermal power plant, with a 110 kV power line reportedly affected.

Social media footage, verified by CNN, showed the aftermath of the strike, which took place around 120 miles south of Moscow. Ukrainian special forces, working in conjunction with the SBU, are believed to have carried out the operation. The attack on the chemical plant is part of a larger effort by Ukraine to target military-related infrastructure in Russia, with the goal of weakening Russia’s war capabilities.

In a statement, an SBU source explained that the operation aimed to disrupt Russian military industries involved in the war effort. "The destruction of weapons depots, military airfields, and other military facilities is essential in reducing Russia's ability to continue its aggression against Ukraine," the source said. The Aleksinsky plant, which supplies gunpowder and ammunition to Russian forces, has been a significant military target for Ukraine.

While Ukrainian officials confirmed the attack, Russian authorities did not immediately acknowledge the strike on the chemical plant. Tula’s governor, Dmitriy Miliayev, claimed that a drone attack had been intercepted by Russian air defenses. However, he did not refer specifically to the chemical plant in his remarks. Miliayev also mentioned that falling drone debris caused minor damage to a private home in the region but reported no casualties.

The Russian Ministry of Defense issued a statement claiming that the Ukrainian attempt to carry out a “terrorist attack” using UAVs had been foiled. They said air defense systems had successfully neutralized the threat, although they did not confirm the specific targets. Despite the official denial of the attack's success, the Ukrainian strike highlights the ongoing intensification of operations targeting Russia’s military infrastructure in the conflict.

Ukraine Launches Drone Attack on Russian Chemical Plant in Tula, Security Service Reports