Ukrainian drones strike key Russian chemical plant in Bashkortostan

Ukrainian forces struck the Russian BSK chemical plant in Bashkortostan overnight Thursday, according to Russian exile media and monitoring channels. Smoke was reported rising over the facility in Sterlitamak following a drone attack. The BSK plant is one of Russia's largest chemical complexes, producing soda ash and food-grade soda, as well as hydrochloric acid and dichloroethane. It is also the only Russian facility manufacturing terephthaloyl chloride, a critical compound. The Moscow Times reported the compound is a key ingredient for producing bulletproof vests, helmets, and armor elements for military equipment. The plant's products include materials similar to Kevlar used in synthetic ballistic fibers.