On the second anniversary of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia experienced a significant attack on its industrial infrastructure, with a suspected drone strike igniting a blaze at the Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) plant in Lipetsk. The incident, occurring approximately 280 miles from the Russia-Ukraine border, was confirmed by Igor Artamonov, the governor of the Lipetsk region. The attack, which took place in the early hours of Saturday morning, resulted in dramatic footage of explosions and a large orange flame, which was widely circulated on social media platforms.
NLMK, the target of the suspected drone attack, represents a critical component of Russia’s industrial might, accounting for 18 percent of the country’s total steel production. The facility, owned by Vladimir Lisin, one of Russia’s wealthiest individuals, specializes in flat steel products and is considered a cornerstone of the Russian industrial sector.
Reports from Ukrainian news outlet TSN suggested that the attack was orchestrated by Ukraine’s Security Service and Main Intelligence Directorate. The severity of the fire led to a complete evacuation of the plant’s workforce, indicating the potential for long-term disruption to its operations. Prior to the attack, the plant was involved in producing materials for Russia’s military, including components for nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, underscoring the strategic significance of the strike.
The Russian Ministry of Defense acknowledged the threat posed by Ukrainian drones, reporting that two drones were shot down over the region on the same night, with additional interceptions in the Kursk and Tula regions. This incident is part of a broader pattern of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting crucial infrastructure and military assets deep within Russian territory, including oil refineries and naval facilities.
Despite the dramatic nature of the attack, local authorities in Lipetsk downplayed the impact on the plant’s operations. The governor announced that the fire was promptly extinguished, with no casualties reported.
Russia reported a fire in the huge Novolipetsk (NLMK) factory in Lipetsk region.
Ukraine’s SBU security service claimed the attack and said the plant was making weapons for the army to use in Ukraine.
“The drone strike on the Novolipetsk steel plant was organized by two Ukrainian… pic.twitter.com/5xVUugoEyD— Jaanika Merilo (@jaanikamerilo) February 25, 2024
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