CHEREPOVETS, Russia – For the second time in less than a month, a swarm of Ukrainian long-range drones has penetrated deep into Russian airspace to strike the JSC Apatit chemical complex in Cherepovets. The facility, a crown jewel of the PhosAgro group and one of Europe’s largest fertilizer producers, was reportedly hit in the early hours of Monday, April 13, 2026.

Local residents reported hearing at least four massive explosions followed by a thick plume of black smoke rising from the plant’s nitrogen complex. The strike follows a similar attack on March 27, signaling a persistent and coordinated effort by Kyiv to dismantle Russia's industrial and dual-use supply chains.

While JSC Apatit is globally recognized for its massive annual output of 7.5 million tons of phosphate-based fertilizers, its strategic importance to the Russian military infrastructure is rooted in its chemical byproducts. The facility serves as a primary producer of dual-use chemicals like sulfuric acid and ammonium nitrate, which are essential precursors for manufacturing high explosives such as TNT and RDX.

Recent OSINT analysis from CyberBoroshno indicates that the latest drone strike specifically targeted the plant’s ammonia workshops, which are responsible for approximately 10% of Russia’s total ammonia production.

The attack was reportedly executed by the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces (USF). Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of the unit, took to Telegram to confirm the operation, mockingly telling the facility to "enjoy your Apatite."

The Cherepovets site is located approximately 500 miles (800 km) from the Ukrainian border. The ability of Ukrainian drones to repeatedly hit the same high-security industrial hub suggests significant gaps in Russian regional air defenses. Despite Vologda Oblast Governor Georgy Filimonov’s claim that 13 drones were "shot down," satellite imagery and eyewitness footage show at least two distinct fires burning near the plant’s ammonia storage areas.

This second strike on Apatit coincides with reported drone activity at the nearby Severstal steel mill, another industrial giant in Cherepovets. By targeting the intersection of fertilizer, chemical, and metal production, Ukraine appears to be executing a "Steel Squeeze" strategy—hitting the economic engines that fund the Kremlin’s military operations while simultaneously choking the production of ammunition.

The repeat strikes have caused significant unease in the local population. Following Monday’s explosions, residents in Cherepovets flooded social media with warnings to seal windows against potential chemical leaks, particularly ammonia.

Globally, the persistent targeting of PhosAgro facilities—whose shareholders have been under Western sanctions since 2022—is expected to further destabilize fertilizer prices, which have already seen a 15% increase in the first quarter of 2026. As Ukraine proves it can strike the same target twice in 30 days, the message to Russian industry is clear: nowhere is untouchable, and no production line is safe.