The Nevinnomyssk Azot chemical plant, one of Russia’s largest producers of nitrogen fertilizer and ammonia, has stopped production. This followed Ukrainian drone strikes, according to the Russian independent media outlet Astra on June 16.
Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed on June 14 that the attack hit two major military-industrial sites in Russia. One of these was the Nevinnomyssk Azot plant in Stavropol Krai. The plant supplies raw materials and parts used in Russia’s weapons and fuel production.
Nevinnomyssk Azot is a key player in Russia’s chemical industry. It produces large amounts of ammonia and nitrogen fertilizers. It also runs the country’s only production lines for methyl acetate and high-purity acetic acid. In addition, the plant operates Russia’s first melamine production facility.
Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, called the plant a critical part of Russia’s military-industrial complex. He said it makes up to one million tons of ammonia and more than one million tons of ammonium nitrate each year. Ammonium nitrate is an important ingredient in explosives and artillery shells.
Kovalenko also pointed out that the plant produces dual-use chemicals like melamine, acetic acid, methanol, and potassium nitrate. These are often used in grenade launchers, mines, and rocket charges. Since 2024, the plant has also made water-soluble fertilizers that have reportedly been adapted for military use.
The plant is owned by EuroChem Group, a company controlled by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko. Melnichenko is under sanctions from Canada, the European Union, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
