Ukraine Attacks Russian Steel Plant On Second War Anniversary

Ukrainian drones attacked a Russian steel plant in Lipetsk, sparking a fire, and marking the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The factory, which accounts for 18% of Russian steel output, is located 400 kilometres north of the Ukrainian border. The fire, believed to have been caused by a drone hit, has been doused and no one has been injured.

A video released on social media purported to be from Lipetsk depicted an explosion with orange flames filling the night sky.

NLMK reported on social media that the fire started around 1:40 a.m. (2240 GMT) on Friday. The corporation did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Lipetsk plant specializes in flat steel and produces 80% of NLMK’s steel products.

Ukrainian drone assaults against Russian military and industrial targets have been more prevalent in recent months, particularly on oil facilities that Kyiv claims are critical to Russia’s war effort, although Ukrainian officials have not yet claimed responsibility for an attack on a steel facility.

Russian authorities reported that Ukrainian drones had been shot down over the Lipetsk, Kursk, and Tula districts overnight.

Also read: US Blacklists 14 Russian Oil Tankers, Imposes Price Cap