Latest news with #AndriiKovalenko
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Drones reportedly hit major Russian chemical and fuel industry plants overnight
Drones struck two industrial plants in Russia overnight on June 14, targeting one of the country's largest nitrogen fertilizer producers in Stavropol Krai and a major fuel catalyst facility in Samara Oblast, according to Russian regional officials. Ukrainian forces regularly launch long-range drone strikes against Russia's military and industrial targets in the rear, aiming to undermine its ability to wage its all-out war. Ukrainian authorities have not officially commented on the reported attacks. Stavropol Governor Vladimir Vladimirov said drone debris fell in the city's industrial zone, confirming the strike was aimed at the Nevinnomyssk Azot plant. He initially reported one person injured, but later clarified there were no casualties. Footage circulating online showed explosions and drones flying over the city. Nevinnomyssk Azot is among Russia's top producers of ammonia and nitrogen fertilizers, and hosts the country's only production lines for methyl acetate and high-purity acetic acid. It also operates Russia's first melamine production facility, according to open-source data. The plant, which produces up to one million tons of ammonia and over one million tons of ammonium nitrate annually, is "a critical element of Russia's military-industrial complex," Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, said. Kovalenko noted that ammonium nitrate is a key component for explosives and artillery shells. He added that the plant also synthesizes dual-use chemicals such as melamine, acetic acid, methanol, and potassium nitrate, frequently used in the production of grenade launchers, mines, and rocket charges. Since 2024, the plant has been producing water-soluble fertilizers, which he said have been adapted to serve military chemical needs. In Russia's Samara Oblast, a separate drone strike reportedly damaged the Novokuybyshevsk Catalyst Plant, the country's largest specialized facility for producing catalysts used in petroleum refining and petrochemicals. The region's governor, Vyacheslav Fedorishchev, confirmed an attempted drone attack overnight on an industrial site in Novokuybyshevsk. Kovalenko said the plant has a strategic role, stating that without its output, Russia's oil refineries, and by extension, its supply of aviation fuel, diesel for armored vehicles, and rocket propellant, would be severely affected. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed it intercepted a total of 66 drones overnight across several regions, including 30 over Voronezh Oblast, 10 over Belgorod Oblast, 8 over Stavropol Krai, 6 over occupied Crimea, 1 over Samara Oblast, and 11 over the Azov Sea. Read also: Russian military equipment reportedly hit in Ukrainian drone attack against Crimea We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Russia may be preparing new strikes with strategic aircraft on Ukraine
Andrii Kovalenko, Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, has stated that there are "signs that Russia is preparing new strikes using strategic aircraft". Source: Kovalenko on Telegram Details: Kovalenko made this statement in response to US President Donald Trump's comments, who has once again said he was "surprised" and "disappointed" by the latest Russian strikes on Ukraine which were preventing a swift conclusion of a "deal". Quote from Kovalenko: "The fact is that there are currently signs that Russia is preparing new strikes using strategic aircraft in the future." Details: Kovalenko added that this is "a method Moscow has been using since the Minsk agreements". Quote from Kovalenko: "Here, I believe it's important to turn disappointment into what the Russians call a 'zhestkaya opleukha' [a hard slap in the face] to Putin." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russian drone production site, chemical plant targeted in alleged Ukrainian drone strike
Russian air defenses opened fire against drones near the Yelabuga drone production site in Russia's Tatarstan Republic, while other drones attacked a chemical plant in Ivanovo Oblast, independent news channel Astra reported on May 26. The reported attacks against Russian industrial facilities come as Moscow intensifies its aerial strikes against Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv. Local residents reported air defense fire and drones flying over Yelabuga city on May 25, Astra and Baza Telegram channels wrote. The so-called Alabuga Special Economic Zone hosts a factory producing Shahed-type drones and has been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian forces throughout the full-scale war. It is unclear whether the facility, lying some 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from the Russia-Ukraine border, suffered any damage in the May 25 attack. 0:00 / 1× In Ivanovo Oblast, local authorities reported intercepting a drone attack in the town of Kineshma, with drone wreckage falling in the industrial area. No casualties were reported. The drones targeted the town's Dmitrievsky Chemical Plant, Astra reported, citing residents. The facility produces components for Russian arms, namely missiles, Ukrainian official Andrii Kovalenko said. Kineshma lies around 750 kilometers (470 miles) from the Russia-Ukraine border. At least 10 explosions were also reported in Russia's Tula Oblast overnight. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its forces had downed 148 Ukrainian drones between 10 a.m. local time on May 25 and 8 a.m. on May 26. A Ukrainian drone attack also reportedly targeted Moscow on May 25, local authorities claimed. The airports in Moscow, Nizhnekamsk, and Kaluga have temporarily suspended operations, Russian authorities said. Ukraine's military has not yet commented on the attacks, and the Kyiv Independent could not verify claims provided by Russian officials. Read also: 'I don't know what the hell happened to Putin,' says Trump as Russia unleashes 3rd consecutive attack on Ukraine We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russian semiconductor plant targeted in alleged massive Ukrainian drone attack
Russian air defenses intercepted over 150 Ukrainian drones in a massive attack overnight on May 21, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed, with multiple sources reporting attacks on industrial targets. Explosions were reported in the Tula, Ryazan, and Oryol oblasts, as Ukrainain official Andrii Kovalenko claimed that facilities of the Russian military-industrial complex were attacked by "unknown drones" in Oryol Oblast. The region's governor, Andrey Klychkov, claimed that the attack resulted in no damage or casualties. Fifty-three Ukrainian drones were downed over the region overnight, the Russian Defense Ministry said on its Telegram channel. The apparent target of the attack was a semiconductor plant in the town of Bolkhov, independent news channel Astra reported. Ukrainian Telegram channel Supernova+ shared what it claimed to be footage of the burning and damaged facility. Russian officials did not comment on a possible attack against the plant, which has been sanctioned by the U.S. since last year over its role in the Russian military-industrial complex. Temporary flight restrictions were introduced at the Yaroslavl, Kostroma, and Kaluga airports. The Ukrainian military has not commented on the claims, which could not be independently verified. Ukraine regularly launches drone attacks against Russian military and industrial facilities in the rear to undermine Moscow's ability to wage its all-out war. Read also: 'No one saw surrender as an option' – Mariupol defender on historic Azovstal fight and brutal Russian captivity We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukrainian drone strikes hit two Russian defense plants, grounding flights in Moscow, security service says
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Long-range drones operated by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) struck two key Russian defense industry plants overnight, igniting fires and prompting mass flight disruptions in the Moscow region, sources within the SBU told the Kyiv Independent on May 7. According to the SBU, Ukrainian drones targeted the Bazalt plant in Krasnoarmeysk, Moscow Oblast, Russia's primary manufacturer of munitions and weaponry for all branches of its military. Residents reported at least seven explosions followed by a large fire at the site. Simultaneously, another strike hit the Splav plant in Tula, a city located about 180 kilometers (110 miles) south of Moscow. Splav is reportedly the only facility in Russia responsible for designing and producing multiple-launch rocket systems and related ammunition. Footage from the scene appeared to show heavy smoke and flames engulfing part of the facility. 0:00 / 1× The strikes, according to the SBU, triggered heightened alert measures across the Moscow Oblast, forcing Russian authorities to enact 'Plan Cover,' a security protocol that includes grounding civilian air traffic. Airports across Moscow and the surrounding oblast temporarily shut down, stranding thousands of passengers and forcing airlines to cancel or reroute hundreds of flights. Pro-Kremlin sources, including the Telegram channel Mash, reported a near-total 'collapse' of air operations across Moscow airports on the night of May 7. Around 350 flights were reportedly affected, with over 60,000 passengers impacted, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia. Some passengers were forced to wait on board planes for hours without food or clear information. The disruption comes just two days before Russia's annual Victory Day parade on May 9, a central propaganda event for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Separately, Ukrainian drone strikes on May 7 reportedly damaged the Optic Fiber Systems plant in Saransk, Republic of Mordovia, according to independent Russian outlet Astra and Ukrainian security officials. The facility, which produces fiber for Russian military drones, suffered 'serious damage,' said Andrii Kovalenko, an official with Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council. A second fire broke out nearby at the Saranskkabel plant. Local residents described hearing powerful explosions around 6 a.m. in the city's industrial zone. Russian authorities have banned the publication of images or video from the attack sites. The Kyiv Independent was unable to independently verify these claims. Read also: Moscow releases guest list for Victory Day parade We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
