Drones Target Azot Chemical Plant Involved in Explosives Production

A drone strike hit the Azot chemical plant in Russia’s Tula region, according to the Astra news outlet.

The facility is involved in producing components used to manufacture explosives for artillery shells.

The explosions took place overnight on June 8, 2025, followed by a fire at the site, which local residents reported.

Eyewitnesses said they heard between five and eight powerful explosions. Dmitry Milyaev, the governor of the Tula region, confirmed the fire, attributing it to falling drone debris.

Azot is one of Russia’s largest chemical producers. According to its official website, the Novomoskovsk-based joint-stock company manufactures ammonia, nitrogen fertilizers, chlorine, organic plastics and resins, caustic soda, calcium chloride, argon, methanol, and nitric acid.

“The fire has been extinguished. No excess levels of pollutants have been recorded. Rospotrebnadzor and the regional agency Priroda perform environmental monitoring. According to preliminary information, two people were injured but are not in critical condition. Emergency services are on site,” Dmitry Milyaev assured.

The company has been part of the EuroChem chemical holding since 2002.

According to Reuters, Azot supplies products to the Sverdlov Plant in the Nizhny Novgorod region, where they are used to manufacture explosives, including octogen and hexogen compounds found in artillery ammunition.

In response to Reuters inquiries, EuroChem denied any links to the defense sector and stated that its products are not intended for military use.

However, public procurement records show active contracts between Azot and the Sverdlov Plant.

In addition, an investigation in December 2024 based on rail shipment data indicated that EuroChem, along with four other Russian chemical companies, accounted for over 75% of the supply of key materials used in explosive production.

The Azot plant was previously targeted on May 24, 2025. In that incident, a drone struck a low-pressure natural gas pipeline in Workshop No. 4. Two 750-ton nitric acid tanks were also damaged, with one leaking onto the ground. The plant was fully shut down following that attack.