Drone Blitz in Russia: Europe’s Largest Fertilizer Plant in Flames, Ust-Luga and Primorsk Struck Again
In addition to the strike on the fertilizer plant, monitoring channels reported renewed drone attacks in Leningrad Oblast, where two ports – Ust-Luga and Primorsk – were hit again.
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Drone strikes were reported overnight on March 26-27 in Cherepovets, Russia, where the Apatit chemical plant and Severstal steel and mining company were said to be hit.
The Ukrainian monitoring channel Exilenova+ claimed on Friday morning that a furnace was on fire at Severstal. Footage shared online appears to show the extent of the fire and a drone flying over Cherepovets.
Open-source analyst said that drones were striking the Apatit chemical plant in Cherepovets and at least one Russian air defense missile was engaged in repelling the attack. The same source showed videos of explosions from the attack.
💥 BONUS: As Ukrainian drones were striking one of the world's largest chemical plants in Russia, at least one Russian air defense missile joined in on the fun and also struck the same plant. https://t.co/GHydYwTZXCpic.twitter.com/X1fxT05EKJ
Cherepovets is located approximately 435 kilometers (270 miles) east of St. Petersburg and more than 800 kilometers (500 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
Apatit chemical plant in Cherepovets manufactures chemicals and chemical products. The Company offers phosphate-based and nitrogen fertilizers and rock, ammonia, and feed phosphates.
Severstal PJSC is a steel and mining company. The company has three main business divisions including resources, Russian steel, and international business operations.
Georgy Filimonov, governor of the Vologda region, confirmed the drone attack on the Cherepovets industrial zone on Telegram.
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“Air defense is active. Emergency services are working at the site of the fallen debris,” he wrote.
Filimonov later said that eight hits were recorded at the industrial site as a result of the attack, but claimed there was no damage to the region’s critical infrastructure. He added that there were no casualties or injuries.
He subsequently reported that 10 drones had been shot down over the industrial area.
Exilenova+ responded to the governor’s statement, writing:
“The governor reports to the Defense Forces on the successful operation. Attack drones flew over 1,000 km while jamming the internet, blocking social media, and driving Russians into the FSB’s control through the MAX messenger, and hit one of the largest chemical plants in Europe, a leading global producer of phosphate fertilizers.”
The report also adds that the plant’s products are exported to Europe, Asia, and Latin America, and are used to produce ammunition, equipment, and other materials for the Russian military.
The Ukrainian side has not yet commented on its involvement in the attack.
In addition to the strike on Cherepovets, monitoring channels began reporting late Thursday evening that drones were again attacking Leningrad Oblast.
Exilenova+ shared a video showing the glow of a fire near the city of Primorsk, home to one of Russia’s key Baltic ports.
Later, the monitors added: “Two ports were hit again – Ust-Luga and Primorsk.”
The OSINT monitoring channel CyberBoroshno confirmed that early Friday morning the Ust-Luga and Primorsk oil terminals were struck simultaneously.
“Explosions are reported in the port areas, along with a glow visible for tens of kilometers. There is video confirmation of new outbreaks in the areas of the Primorsk and Ust-Luga ports,” the report reads.
Both ports are among the largest in the region and account for a significant share of Russia’s petroleum product exports.
Regional governor Alexander Drozdenko said air defenses were repelling the attack over the Kirishi district, where an industrial site was hit. He did not specify the facility.
Local residents and Russian Telegram channels identified the target as the Kirishinefteorgsintez (KINEF) refinery – Russia’s second-largest by processing capacity.
Owned by Surgutneftegaz, the plant processes up to 20 million tons of oil annually and produces fuel and petrochemicals vital for domestic use and export.
The strike follows a broader wave of attacks on Russia’s Baltic energy infrastructure. A day earlier, drones hit Novatek’s terminal at the port of Ust-Luga, about 150 km southwest of St. Petersburg, sparking a fire at a major gas condensate facility.
Ukrainian officials said storage and loading infrastructure were targeted, while Russian authorities claimed dozens of drones were intercepted and reported no casualties.
Some drones reportedly strayed beyond Russian airspace. One crashed in Latvia and detonated on impact, while another briefly entered Latvian territory before turning back. In Estonia, a drone hit a chimney at the Auvere power plant near Narva. No injuries were reported in either country.
Earlier strikes on oil ports in Primorsk and Ust-Luga on March 23 and 25 reportedly disrupted shipments, according to Reuters. In total, the attacks may have affected up to 40% of Russia’s seaborne oil exports - around 2 million barrels per day – dealing a significant blow to a key source of Kremlin revenue.
Julia Struck is a Deputy Head of News and correspondent for Kyiv Post who has previously worked as a parliamentary editor, journalist, and news editor. She has specialized in covering the work of the Ukrainian parliament, government, and law enforcement agencies.
