Ukraine strikes spark fires at Russian chemical plants, one dead in Taganrog PHOTO

Fires broke out near major chemical facilities in the Russian city of Tolyatti following reported Ukrainian strikes overnight, while a separate attack on the port city of Taganrog left one person dead and several others injured, according to regional officials and open-source analysis.

In Tolyatti, located in the Samara region, residents reported multiple explosions during the night of April 4, Caliber.Az reports via ASTRA.

Footage shared by eyewitnesses showed a large blaze in an industrial area. Analysis by the OSINT project ASTRA indicated that the fire occurred near two chemical enterprises — Tolyattikauchuk and KuibyshevAzot.

Images geolocated by ASTRA suggest the fire was filmed from Leningradskaya Street, approximately four kilometres from the site, with flames visible on the территории of Tolyattikauchuk. 

The company produces synthetic rubber and chemical components used in tyres and rubber goods, while KuibyshevAzot manufactures nitrogen fertilisers and chemical feedstocks, including caprolactam and polyamides.

The regional governor said one employee at an industrial facility had been injured, though no further details were provided.

In a separate incident, authorities in the Rostov region reported casualties following a Ukrainian strike on Taganrog. According to Governor Yury Slyusar, one person was killed, and four others were wounded, including three local residents and one foreign national. Medical officials described three of the injured as being in serious condition.

The attack also damaged commercial infrastructure, sparking a fire at warehouse facilities belonging to a logistics company. The blaze has since been contained, and people in the area were evacuated.

Russian air defences reportedly intercepted and destroyed unmanned aerial vehicles over the Taganrog Bay in the Sea of Azov, as well as in several districts of the region. However, debris from a downed drone struck a foreign-flagged dry cargo vessel several kilometres offshore, causing a fire on board. The fire has been localised, officials said.

Emergency services remain at the scene, and the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.