During the night of 15 November, units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine reached Nizhnekamsk in Tatarstan, one of russia’s main petrochemical hubs, located more than a thousand kilometres from the border. Two enterprises that feed russia’s war with raw materials and fuel came under fire.
The first target was Nizhnekamskneftekhim PJSC, one of the largest petrochemical complexes in Europe and a key production site of the SIBUR holding. Explosions were heard on the premises of Nizhnekamskneftekhim, followed by a fire.
The plant produces synthetic rubbers, synthetic polyisoprene, butyl rubbers and plastics, with annual sales of synthetic rubbers alone worth tens of billions of roubles. At first glance, this is peaceful chemistry. In reality, no army can do without these products: synthetic rubber is used to make tyres for military trucks, armoured vehicles and aircraft, as well as seals, hoses and other rubber components for equipment. Certain types of synthetic rubber also serve as the binder for solid rocket propellant, which powers Iskander ballistic missiles among others. That is why russia’s rubber industry has long been one of the targets of the Defence Forces.
Nearby, the only ELOU-AVT-7 primary crude processing unit (electric desalting and atmospheric-vacuum distillation) at the TAIF-NK oil refinery was hit. This is a large refining complex with an exceptionally high refining depth of over 95%. It processes heavy high-sulphur crude oil and gas condensate, and its output goes both into mass-market fuel and into feedstock for the petrochemical industry and military needs. A fire was recorded.
The extent of the damage at both enterprises is being clarified.
On the same day, another russian defence-industrial complex (DIC) facility was hit: Monolit JSC in Trubchevsk, Bryansk Oblast. The enterprise specialises in the production of aircraft, including helicopters, and also manufactures spare parts and components and carries out metalworking.
Every shutdown of such plants means fewer tyres for the vehicles carrying ammunition to the front, fewer rubber parts for armoured vehicles and aircraft, less raw material for the missile industry and less fuel for the russian army.
The Defence Forces of Ukraine, exercising the right of self-defence guaranteed by Article 51 of the UN Charter, continue to take systematic measures aimed at undermining the enemy’s military and economic potential and compelling russia to cease its armed aggression against Ukraine.
To be continued 💥
Glory to Ukraine! 🇺🇦
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