Why Ukrainian drones targeted Sterlitamak, Russia's chemical hub

Ukrainian drones struck Sterlitamak, a major industrial center in Russia's Bashkortostan region, on Thursday morning. The city is a key hub for Russia's chemical and petrochemical industries, with products supporting its defense sector. The Federal State Enterprise "Avangard," part of the Rostec defense conglomerate, is located there and produces explosives, ammunition, and handles disposal of solid rocket fuel. The city's soda and chemical plants supply materials for military-industrial needs, including synthetic rubber and antioxidants used in defense applications. Sterlitamak accounts for 49.6% of Russia's soda ash production and 85.4% of its food-grade sodium bicarbonate. The strike targets facilities that also produce isoprene rubber for tires and solid rocket fuel components, potentially disrupting Russian military supply chains.