Russia’s Top Sapphire Producer for Defense Optics Hit in Overnight Strike

Drones struck the Monocrystal plant in Russia’s Stavropol region overnight, sparking a fire at one of the country’s primary producers of synthetic sapphire for military and high-tech applications, the Russian outlet ASTRA reported on August 12.

Monocrystal manufactures synthetic sapphire used in optical systems, protective sensor elements, and lasers, including those integrated into military devices. The material is also critical for aerospace, instrumentation, and other advanced industries.

Residents reported hearing at least five explosions and seeing flashes in the sky over Stavropol during the night. Local authorities issued a drone threat alert. Photos and videos posted on social media showed smoke rising directly from the facility.

“Last night, a UAV attack was repelled in Stavropol. The drones were suppressed by our electronic warfare systems. No one was injured. Windows were shattered in one social facility. All emergency services are on site. The UAV threat regime remains in effect across the region,” the city’s mayor wrote.

Astra noted that in May 2025, local media reported Monocrystal risked missing a defense contract and facing trial for “embezzling millions,” confirming the company’s involvement in Russia’s state defense orders.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense later claimed that its air defenses shot down 22 Ukrainian drones over the Rostov region and three over the Stavropol territory overnight.

Earlier, strike drones targeted the Arzamas Instrument-Building Plant in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region, a facility that specializes in producing aviation and space components.

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