Russian chemical plant Metafrax reportedly hit by drones

Around 10 unmanned aerial vehicles reportedly struck the Metafrax Chemicals plant in Russia on September 11, causing the facility to halt operations, according to Exilenova+.

The strikes reportedly hit production units manufacturing formalin, pentaerythritol, urea and hexamine, as well as a nitrogen-oxygen station and the plant’s main step-down substation.

According to Exilenova+, the damage resulted in a complete shutdown of the enterprise.

Images published by the outlet show damage to the roof and parts of the facade of the plant’s hexamine production facility. Another apparent strike site was identified near the main step-down substation known as Metanol. Exilenova+ said other damage could not be identified because of the angle and shadows in the image.

Metafrax is a major Russian producer of chemical products, including hexamine, also known as urotropine. The compound is a key precursor in the production of RDX and HMX, high explosives used in munitions, including artillery shells, aerial bombs and missile warheads.

According to estimates cited by Exilenova+, Metafrax accounts for between 70% and 100% of Russia’s hexamine production.

The plant also produces pentaerythritol, which is used to manufacture PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate), a powerful explosive used in detonators, primers and detonating cords.

Formalin, another product manufactured at the facility, is an important feedstock for the production of both hexamine and pentaerythritol.

By Vugar Khalilov