Today's drone attack on a metallurgical plant in Russia's Novolipetsk was organised by two Ukrainian special services, the Security Service (SBU) and the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), sources have told LB.ua.
"This is one of the largest metallurgical plants in Russia. It works for the Russian defence industry and fulfils a large number of government orders. Raw materials from this enterprise are used to manufacture Russian missiles, artillery, drones, etc. Therefore, it is a legitimate target for Ukraine," the source said.
After the powerful explosions at the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant, a large-scale fire broke out and all plant staff was evacuated.
The Ukrainian special services add that SBU and GUR drones hit installations intended for primary cooling of untreated coke oven gas. According to the sources, the damage to these facilities will stall the entire production process of the steel plant for a long time.
The affected plant is owned by Russian oligarch Vladimir Lisin, who is close to Putin. According to Forbes, he is one of the three richest people in Russia.
According to media reports, until recently, the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant produced raw materials for Russian companies involved in nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
On the night of 24 February, explosions were heard near the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant in Russia. According to eyewitnesses, the plant was attacked by drones. Local media reported that the sounds of drones and missile defence systems were heard in the sky beforehand.