SBU strikes Russian chemical plant producing explosive components
On the night of 17 February, drones from the SBU’s “Alpha” Special Operations Centre carried out a successful strike on the Metafrax Chemicals plant in Russia’s Perm Krai. Located more than 1,600 km from the Ukrainian border, the facility is a strategically important site within the Russian military-industrial complex.
According to sources within the SBU cited by Suspilne, the strike targeted a methanol production unit, which produces a key raw material used in explosives manufacturing. Local residents reported at least six powerful explosions on the plant’s territory, after which the administration began evacuating personnel.
Metafrax Chemicals is one of Europe’s largest producers of methanol, urotropine, and urea — components critical for the production of ammunition and other military products. Due to its role in supplying the Russian army, the plant has long been under international sanctions.
The Security Service of Ukraine emphasised that such strikes deep within enemy territory aim to systematically destroy the resource base of the occupying forces. Destroying production lines at facilities like this directly affects the supply rate of shells to the front and complicates the logistics of Russia’s military-industrial complex. The SBU has pledged to continue operations to weaken Russia’s economic and military infrastructure that sustains the war effort.
Recently, explosions were reported in the Russian city of Ukhta (Komi Republic), approximately 2,000 km from the Ukrainian border, where the Lukoil-Ukhtaneftepererabotka oil refinery was hit.
On the night of 17 February 2026, temporarily occupied Crimea became the target of a large-scale attack by Ukrainian drones.
