MOSCOW, April 26 – Ukrainian forces struck a major fertilizer manufacturing facility in Russia’s Vologda region during a weekend drone assault, according to regional officials.
Regional Governor Georgy Filimonov reported that the attack in Cherepovets damaged a high-pressure pipeline carrying sulphuric acid at an Apatit facility, which operates under PhosAgro, a global leader in phosphate fertilizer production.
“The leak has been contained and there were no releases of hazardous chemicals,” Filimonov stated, while confirming that five individuals sustained injuries in the incident.
The targeted Apatit complex represents Europe’s largest manufacturer of phosphate fertilizers and produces both phosphoric and sulphuric acids, according to parent company PhosAgro.
Russian military officials described the weekend assault as a massive coordinated attack, reporting that air defense systems destroyed more than 250 Ukrainian drones across over a dozen regions between Saturday evening at 2000 Moscow time and Sunday morning at 0900.
The port city of Sevastopol experienced what officials called one of its most intense bombardments, with 71 drones eliminated by defense systems, according to Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev.
That attack resulted in one fatality and four additional injuries, while causing damage to homes, retail establishments, and vehicles. Debris from destroyed drones also fell across railway lines.
Meanwhile, in the Yaroslavl region – an area where Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted petroleum refineries – Governor Mikhail Yevrayev confirmed that defense forces repelled another large-scale drone offensive, though he provided no additional specifics about the assault.
