Ukrainian Drone Strike Hits Chemical Plant in Russia's Bashkortostan

A Ukrainian drone attack targeted the Russian city of Sterlitamak in the Bashkortostan Republic on Thursday morning, striking an industrial facility over 1,700 kilometers from Kyiv. The attack caused a large fire at the Bashkir Soda Company (BSK) chemical complex, one of Russia's largest. Local and Ukrainian Telegram channels reported explosions and smoke rising from the BSK plant, with images showing heavy smoke development. The facility is considered a defense enterprise as Russia's sole producer of terephthaloyl chloride, a chemical used in military equipment. Ukraine has not officially commented on the attack. Sterlitamak's mayor Emil Shaymardanov claimed all eight drones were shot down, causing only minor damage and normal operations continuing. The same plant was reportedly attacked in late August, and a petrochemical facility in the city was damaged by a Ukrainian drone strike in 2025.