One of Russia’s largest steel plants hit by drone attack

On February 24, Lipetsk governor Igor Artamonov reported that a fire broke out at the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant (NLMK), one of Russia’s largest steel plants. According to the governor, the fire was put out and no one was injured.

Lipetsk residents heard three explosions, reports Telegram channel Ostorozhno Novosti. According to the channel, one person was injured.

NLMK later told local outlet Gorod48 that “an explosion occurred in the area of the coke plant” at around 1:40 a.m. local time. “The causes of the incident are being determined,” added the press service.

Ukrainian outlet RBC Ukraine said its sources reported that Ukraine’s Security Service and military intelligence organized the attack. According to the outlet, the drone attack caused an explosion and fire at the plant, leading to a prolonged suspension in production.

In a comment to BBC News Russian, one of the company’s representatives said that “the NLMK Group does not work with the military-industrial complex.” “Russian NLMK enterprises are exclusively focused on the production of civilian products,” reported the company’s press service.

One of BBC News Russian’s sources in the special services reported that NLMK “works for Russia’s military-industrial complex and fulfills a large number of state orders,” and that the materials the plant produces “are used in the production of Russian missiles, artillery, drones, and so on.”