ASTRA: Flames sweep area between power station and steelworks in Russia PHOTO / VIDEO

A fire broke out in an area between Lipetsk CHP-2 and the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant (NLMK) in Russia’s Lipetsk region following an attack, according to an open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysis by ASTRA.

Residents of Lipetsk reported explosions and a fire during the night of July 21. Missile alerts had been in effect in the region since the previous evening.

Based on footage shared by eyewitnesses, ASTRA said the fire appeared to be located near the local power plant and the NLMK facility. It remains unclear what exactly was struck and what is burning.

According to Lipetsk Region Governor Igor Artamonov, a fire broke out in an open area at an industrial site on Peredelcheskaya Street.

“The fire covers an area of about 2,500 square metres. Additional firefighting units have been dispatched to the scene. All emergency services are working at the site. Information on the cause of the fire and possible casualties is being clarified,” the governor added.

The Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant (NLMK) is Russia’s largest steelmaking facility, producing around 20% of the country’s total steel output. Pro-government media outlets claim that the plant manufactures civilian products; however, NLMK steel is also purchased by companies involved in missile production. The company, for its part, states that it has “never supplied military-purpose products to Russia’s defence-industrial complex.” Ukrainian intelligence agencies dispute this claim, considering the plant a legitimate target due to its alleged links to the defence sector.

Lipetsk CHP-2 is one of the largest combined heat and power plants in Russia’s Black Earth region. It supplies heat to the city of Lipetsk as well as to several industrial enterprises in the surrounding area.

By Jeyhun Aghazada