Ukrainian Drones Shatter the Heart of Russia’s Explosives Supply Chain, Satellite Images Confirm

Ukrainian long-range An-196 “Liutyi” drones struck a critical production component at Russia’s Metafrax chemical plant in Perm region on February 17, damaging a core element of the facility’s methanol processing infrastructure.

According to the Ukrainian OSINT project CyberBoroshno, two drones hit a rectification column that forms part of the plant’s central methanol synthesis and purification block. The group reported that the targeted unit is responsible for refining raw methanol to commercial-grade standards before it is used in downstream chemical production.

CyberBoroshno published satellite imagery and on-site photos indicating ongoing repair efforts at the facility, including the use of heavy lifting equipment. Visual materials also show vapor emissions from the affected installation, suggesting disruption to the processing unit.

The rectification column is a central component of the methanol production cycle. In industrial operations, such installations function under high pressure and temperature. Damage to this segment typically results in a shutdown of the technological process due to safety and operational constraints.

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Metafrax, located in Russia’s Perm region, is the flagship enterprise of the Metafrax Group chemical holding. The plant produces methanol, formalin, synthetic resins, and related chemical products. Methanol and hexamine manufactured at the facility are used in various industrial applications, including the production of explosives.

The company has been sanctioned by the United Kingdom and Ukraine due to its involvement in Russia’s defense-related supply chains.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Defense Forces reported striking a Russian missile battalion of the 15th Separate Coastal Missile Brigade in temporarily occupied Crimea, along with ammunition depots, a logistics warehouse in Donetsk region, and a drone command post in Mykolaiv region, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Hits were recorded, with the extent of Russian losses still being clarified.

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