Ukrainian drones strike Russia's largest chemical complex in Bashkortostan

Ukrainian drones attacked one of Russia's largest chemical complexes in Bashkortostan early on October 29, causing smoke to rise over the facility and prompting a drone danger alert and Ufa airport closure. The target was the Bashkir Soda Company plant in Sterlitamak, Russia's top producer of calcined and food soda. The facility, part of the Roskhim holding, supplies military plants with hydrochloric acid and dichloroethane, and is the sole Russian maker of terephthaloyl chloride used in body armor and military vehicle protection. Separately, drones struck the Azot chemical plant in Berezniki, Perm Krai, on October 23, and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported 613 drones heading toward the capital overnight, with 231 destroyed near the city. Airports in Moscow temporarily halted operations.