Drone Strike Sparks Massive Blaze at Russian Dual-Use Giant Chemical Plant, Video

A wave of strike drones hit one of Russia’s largest chemical plants, igniting a fire at the Acron industrial complex in Veliky Novgorod, according to footage released by the OSINT group Exilenova+ on December 11.

Residents reported hearing drones overhead and multiple explosions before videos began circulating on social media showing flames inside the facility.

Acron PJSC is among Russia’s biggest chemical producers, manufacturing ammonia, nitric acid, ammonium nitrate and other materials that, according to media reporting, include components with dual-use applications—including ingredients used in explosive manufacturing.

Novgorod region governor Aleksandr Dronov confirmed the attack around 4 a.m., saying air-defense systems had been activated. Later in the morning, he claimed Russian forces destroyed 19 drones over the region.

Despite those statements, local witnesses reported more than five direct impacts on the plant’s grounds, suggesting the strike caused meaningful damage to one of the Russian Federation’s key industrial sites.

The incident marks one of the most significant drone attacks in recent months on Russia’s chemical infrastructure, which plays an important role in supplying materials to both civilian industries and Moscow’s war effort.

Earlier, reports emerged that a Rosneft-owned oil refinery in Syzran halted crude processing after sustaining damage in a December 5 drone strike.

The refinery, located in Russia’s Samara region, reportedly suffered a direct hit on its AVT-6 primary crude distillation unit—equipment considered the core of refinery operations. The same unit was previously struck by drones in August, forcing a two-week shutdown for repairs.

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