Drones Attack Petrochemical Plant in Russian City of Budyonnovsk

On the night of November 12, strike drones attacked a petrochemical plant in the Russian city of Budyonnovsk, Stavropol Krai, triggering a large fire.

The Exilenova+ Telegram channel published videos and photos from the scene.

According to eyewitnesses, the target was the Stavrolen plant – one of Russia’s largest petrochemical facilities.

The plant is the country’s second-largest producer of low-pressure polyethylene.

Earlier that night, local residents reported hearing explosions, shortly after authorities in the region issued a drone alert.

Later, local authorities reported that Russian air defense had allegedly repelled a “Ukrainian drone attack” over the Budyonnovsk district of Stavropol Krai.

Vladimir Vladimirov, the region’s governor, stated that a fire broke out in an industrial zone after the fall of allegedly downed drones, without specifying which facility was affected.

“A fire occurred. Firefighting teams and emergency services are working at the scene,” Vladimirov wrote.

The Stavrolen plant is a major Russian producer of polyethylene, polypropylene, benzene, vinyl acetate, and other petrochemical materials. It is part of the Lukoil company structure.

Although the company presents its products as purely civilian, in reality, such plants are also involved in producing polyethylene for military purposes – primarily for insulating components and wire casings used in drones, missiles, and electronic warfare systems, among others.

A previous Ukrainian drone strike on this Russian facility occurred on October 29, which also caused a fire on site.

The day before, Ukrainian drones targeted the Russian Orsknefteorgsintez oil refinery in the city of Orsk, Orenburg Region.