Photo: Screenshot from video
Local residents in the city of Gubakha, Perm Krai, reported explosions on May 23, according to reports cited by Exilenova+.
Preliminary information suggests that a drone struck the area of the “AKM” chemical complex operated by the sanctioned Russian company Metafrax Chemicals, which is considered one of the country’s largest and most modern chemical production facilities.
The governor of Perm Krai, Dmitry Makhonin, confirmed that a drone attack targeted an industrial site in the region. He stated that some drones were allegedly intercepted by Russian air defense systems and mobile fire groups before reaching their target.
The Metafrax AKM complex is a major producer of industrial chemicals, with capacity reportedly reaching nearly 900 tons of ammonia and over 1,600 tons of urea per day, along with significant annual production of melamine. These materials are widely used in industrial manufacturing and are also considered strategically important for Russia’s defense-related industries, including explosives and ammunition production.
The plant is located in Gubakha, roughly 1,700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, highlighting the long-range reach of drone operations inside Russian territory.
Separately, reports also emerged of a fire at the Sheskharis oil terminal in Novorossiysk, one of Russia’s key southern oil transshipment hubs, following another reported drone attack in the area.
