Drones attack Tambov Gunpowder Plant in Russia, causing blaze
Drones attacked the Tambov Gunpowder Plant in Kotovsk, Russia, overnight into Wednesday, setting the facility ablaze, acting Tambov region governor Evgeny Pervyshov and Russian Telegram channels Astra and Mash reported.
Pervyshov claimed a large-scale drone attack on Kotovsk was repelled, with law enforcement managing the situation. However, locals told Astra that drones targeted the Tambov Gunpowder Plant, causing a fire. Mash reported 15 explosions during the attack.
At 9:28 a.m., Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council’s Center for Countering Disinformation, noted the plant “has been attacked before” and is now pausing operations.
Previous attacks
The Tambov Gunpowder Plant, a major Russian supplier of ammunition and gunpowder for firearms, artillery, and rocket systems, also produces nitrocellulose used in explosives.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the plant’s output has surged.
It has been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian drones, with prior attacks in November 2023, January and July 2024, and January 2025.
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