04/15/2026
In the Russian region of Bashkortostan, complaints were made about a drone
attack on the afternoon of April 15. Explosions were heard in the city
of Sterlitamak.
A petrochemical plant that produces aviation fuel, which is important to the occupiers, has been hit, according to the Russian independent publication ASTRA and the Ukrainian Telegram channel Exilenova+.
What is known about the attack on Sterlitamak?
Exilenova+ reported at around 10:30 that unknown drones had struck a plant in Sterlitamak. This Russian city is located 1,300 km from the Ukrainian border as the crow flies.
“The impact of debris with subsequent smoke,” they wrote there, not without irony, predicting what the official reaction in the Russian Federation would be to this attack.
According to the channel, emergency services rushed to the scene of the impact: a fire was breaking out.
“The plant of JSC Sintez-Kauchuk was probably hit. This is one of the key elements of the petrochemical cluster of Bashkortostan, associated with large structures such as Bashneft,” Exilenova+ noted .
ASTRA reported that the Sterlitamak Petrochemical Plant, which produces aviation fuel, was attacked in Bashkortostan.
The editorial office made this statement based on OSINT analysis of one of the photos that appeared on the Internet, taken by an eyewitness to the attack (the journalists blurred it out so as not to put the author in danger).
There is no contradiction in the reports of ASTRA and Exilenova+: as noted by Russian journalists, in February 2024, as part of the reorganization, Syntez-Kauchuk JSC was merged with SNHZ JSC, after which the enterprises became a single company. Sterlitamak Petrochemical Plant JSC is part of the Roskhim holding.
It is known that Sterlitamak Petrochemical Plant (SNPZ) is a large petrochemical enterprise in Sterlitamak (Bashkortostan), which produces synthetic rubbers, phenolic antioxidants (in particular, Agidol), fuel components, including aviation gasoline, as well as various chemical additives and hardeners.
“According to our information, there were several hits, and all in different parts of the plant. “Pantsir” (Russian air defense system “Pantsir-S1″. – Ed.) tried to shoot down something there, but, apparently, unsuccessfully,” Exilenova+ later clarified.
A video also appeared online in which a Russian serviceman (whom Exilenova+ either jokingly or seriously calls “Russian air defense”) tells how “it’s banging here” – and helps the Defense Forces adjust the strikes, showing exactly where it landed.
What the Russian government says
Local authorities confirmed the attack. However, they did not specify which enterprise “met” the drones.
“Bashkortostan has suffered a terrorist attack by a UAV. Several drones were shot down over the industrial zone of Sterlitamak. Debris fell on the territory of one of the enterprises. All services are working on the spot, extinguishing the fire that has arisen. We are finding out the details,” wrote the head of Bashkortostan Radiy Khabirov.
Meanwhile, local media in Bashkortostan began reporting that the company’s employees had begun to be evacuated. According to local authorities, five people were in the attacked workshop at the time of the attack – and they were allegedly not injured.
Ukrainian military about the attack
The strike on the Sterlitamak petrochemical plant was confirmed by Robert “Magyar” Brovdi, commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems Forces. The attack was carried out by fighters from the 1st Separate Unmanned Systems Center.
“Magyar” noted that the Sterlitamak Petrochemical Plant is a manufacturer of aviation fuel, additives for aviation kerosene, and the only manufacturer of neodymium synthetic rubbers in the Russian Federation
Previously, OBOZ.UA reported that explosions occurred in the Belgorod region on April 15.
Fuel and ammunition depots and enemy logistics in Valuyki were hit. Local authorities reported only damage to the roof of a private house in a village near this Russian city.
Another nice little fire kindled in the mafia state. Well done, AFU.