Major Explosives Plant Hit Again as Ukrainian Drones Strike Across Russia Overnight
Ukrainian drones targeted the Sverdlov explosives plant in Dzerzhinsk, according to Russian and OSINT reports, marking another attack on the facility this year. Overnight strikes were also reported in Ufa, the Tula region, and near Moscow, with casualties reported in Ufa.
On Wednesday, Aug. 19, Ukrainian drones launched a significant assault on Dzerzhinsk, a city situated in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. Amidst initial OSINT analysis, the Sverdlov Explosives Plant emerged as a potential target. The Russian publication Astra corroborated this claim, highlighting the plant's strategic significance as one of Russia's largest explosives producers, with a century-long history in the military-chemical sector.
Regrettably, no casualties have been reported thus far. The plant has been subject to sanctions by Ukraine, the US, EU, UK, Japan, and Switzerland for alleged support of actions threatening Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence.
Allegedly, one drone struck a multi-story residential structure in Dzerzhinsk, located approximately several kilometers away from the explosives plant. Local authorities have not commented on this alleged strike. Prior to this, drones assaulted the Sverdlov Explosives Plant in April 2026 and October 2024.
Beyond Dzerzhinsk, Ukrainian drones also targeted multiple industrial facilities in Bashkortostan overnight, with Governor Radiy Khabirov reporting six drones aimed at industrial locations in Ufa. Russian air defenses neutralized four drones; however, one crashed near an oil refinery, sparking a minor blaze. Meanwhile, another drone impacted a residential area in Zaton, injuring one Indian medical student.
Khabirov further clarified that the impact likely damaged pipes in the oil refinery, which is anticipated to be repaired within several days.
Ufa’s petrochemical and refining complex, one of Russia’s largest, faced repeated drone strikes in August. Previously, Ukrainian drones caused fires at Rosneft’s Bashneft-UNPZ refinery on Aug. 5. Another drone allegedly lost its target and struck a residential building in Ufa’s Zaton neighborhood, damaging several apartments and vehicles.
Authorities are assessing the extent of this damage, while an emergency response center has been set up to accommodate affected residents. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported that Russian air defenses downed at least 25 drones approaching the capital overnight. As of publication, Russia’s Defense Ministry had not officially commented on these incidents, while Ukrainian authorities had not claimed responsibility.
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- Ukrainian drones reportedly strike Russia's Tula, Nizhny Novgorod oblasts kyivindependent.com
