Ukrainian Drone Attack Hits Perm Region Chemical Plant

Oct. 23, 2026 Smoke billowing from a facility identified as the Azot chemical plant in the city of Berezniki. @exilenova_plus / Telegram A Ukrainian drone strike damaged an industrial plant in the Ural Mountains region of Perm, Governor Dmitry Makhonin said Friday. Makhonin said air defense systems intercepted 20 drones over the Perm region overnight, with falling debris shattering windows in residential buildings in the city of Berezniki and the nearby town of Solikamsk. “An industrial facility also sustained minor damage,” he wrote on Telegram without identifying the site. The exiled news outlet Astra used eyewitness footage of rising smoke from the purported area of the attack to identify the targeted facility as the Azot chemical plant in Berezniki. Azot is part of Uralchem, a corporation controlled by billionaire Dmitry Mazepin. The facility is Russia’s sole producer of higher aliphatic amines, sodium nitrate and crystalline sodium nitrite, and manufactures ammonium nitrate, liquid ammonia, urea, nitric acid and nitrite-nitrate salts. Ammonium nitrate is widely used as fertilizer and is also a component in explosives. The Azot plant, which employs around 2,500 people and is located more than 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) from the border with Ukraine, was previously targeted in Ukrainian drone attacks in September 2026 and October 2025. Russian civil aviation authorities issued airspace restrictions during the air raid alert in the Perm region on Friday. The Defense Ministry said it intercepted 443 Ukrainian drones across Russia and annexed Crimea between Thursday night and Friday morning. Read more about: Drones , Ukraine war , Perm Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more At Least 2 Killed as Ukraine Strikes Industrial Sites Across Russia Russian authorities and independent media reported that two oil refineries were damaged during the overnight drone barrage. 2 Min read 6 Killed in Ukrainian Drone Strikes Across Russia and Crimea Russia’s Defense Ministry said it intercepted 306 Ukrainian drones across Russia and annexed Crimea overnight. 1 Min read 2 Killed in Crimea as Ukrainian Drones Strike Industrial Site in Perm Region Reports suggested a Lukoil-operated oil refinery was targeted in a drone barrage on the Ural Mountains region of Russia. 1 Min read Chemical Emergency Alert Issued in Perm After Ukraine Strikes Industrial Sites Regions officials later claimed the warning was a test despite residents reporting huge smoke clouds and a distinct chemical odor in the air. 2 Min read