Gunpowder Factory in Tambov Region Catches Fire After Drone Attack

Strike drones targeted a gunpowder factory in the city of Kotovsk, located in the Russia’s Tambov region.

Astra reported on this.

The factory is among Russia’s largest producers of gunpowder, specializing in the manufacture of nitrocellulose-based smokeless powders and related products for both military and civilian applications.

The attack on the factory took place during the night of June 11, 2025. As a result, a fire broke out on the premises. Locals reported hearing around 15 explosions.

According to official information from the governor of the Tambov region, the fire was caused by a drone crashing onto the factory premises after being shot down.

“On the night of June 11, a massive drone attack by the Ukrainian regime on Kotovsk was repelled. As a result of one of the downed drones crashing, a fire broke out, which was extinguished by firefighting units,” said Yevgeny Pervyshov.

Overall, the factory produces over 200 types of products, including nitrocellulose powders for small arms, hand grenades, grenade launcher rounds, as well as artillery and mortar ammunition. The enterprise is part of the state corporation Rostec.

The factory is located at coordinates 52.580969, 41.522648 — approximately 360 km from the Ukrainian state border. Video footage confirming the strike on the facility allowed for the identification of the targeted key areas of the factory.

It is worth noting that this is not the first attack on the factory. On May 29, 2025, it was previously targeted by drones, which also caused a fire on the premises. Additionally, attacks were recorded in July 2024 and November 2023.

In addition, on June 8, a drone strike hit the Azot chemical plant in the Russia’s Tula region. The facility is involved in producing components used to manufacture explosives for artillery shells.

Azot is one of the 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.

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 shells.