Drone Strikes Target Industrial Sites in Russia's Perm Region

In brief

• Ukrainian drones attacked industrial sites in Russia's Perm region, hitting chemical and titanium facilities.
• Air defense systems intercepted numerous drones over the Perm region during the attacks.
• The Azot chemical plant in Berezniki was struck on October 23, leading to fires.
• The Avisma titanium producer's site was targeted on October 25, resulting in injuries.

Attack on Azot Plant in Berezniki

Ukrainian drones hit the Azot chemical works in Berezniki, Perm region, on the morning of October 23 (Drones attack Azot chemical plant in Russia's Perm region – media – Ukrinform). Media analysis indicated the facility was burning during the drone assault (Ukrainian Drone Attack Hits Perm Region Chemical Plant – The Moscow Times). Debris from these interceptions broke windows in residential buildings in Berezniki and the nearby town of Solikamsk. Makhonin also noted that an industrial location in the northern part of the region suffered minor damage, though the specific site was not named.

Azot Plant Profile and Operations

Azot operates as a division of Uralchem, a corporation associated with Dmitry Mazepin. The plant employs about 2,500 people and is situated over 1,500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. It is the only Russian producer of certain chemicals, including crystalline sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate, and higher aliphatic amines. The site also manufactures ammonium nitrate, which is used as both a fertilizer and a component in explosives. Astra previously documented an incident involving Azot on September 11.

Second Strike on Avisma

Initial reports suggested five workers at the facility were injured, and three of them were taken to hospital for examination (Drones attack plant owned by Russia’s largest titanium producer in Perm Krai, media report – Ukrinform). Separately, officials confirmed that Ukrainian drone activity caused fatalities in the Belgorod region of southwestern Russia overnight (Ukrainian Attacks Kill 3 in Belgorod, Hit Perm Industrial Plant – The Moscow Times).

Russian Defense Data

Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses destroyed 443 drones over Russian territory during the night of October 23, mentioning air defense actions in the Perm region in its daily report.