Drones strike Russia's sole plant making key body armor component in Bashkortostan

Drones attacked the only chemical plant in Russia that produces a key component for body armor, located in Bashkortostan, on the night of October 29. The strike caused smoke near the Bashkir Soda Company in Sterlitamak. The plant is the sole Russian producer of terephthaloyl chloride, a compound used to create synthetic ballistic fibers and aramid materials like Kevlar analogs. These materials are essential for modern body armor, helmets, and protective components for military equipment and aviation. The facility was previously targeted by drones in late August. Separately, drones also attacked Moscow on the evening of October 28 and night of October 29, prompting air defense responses and temporary restrictions at Moscow-area airports.