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The Russian steel plant damaged by a possible drone attack on Feb. 24 is “a military enterprise” that contributes directly to Moscow’s arsenal, Andrii Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence, said in a television broadcast.<\/p>\n
A fire<\/strong><\/a> erupted at the main plant of Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) in Lipetsk, Russia on Feb. 24. Military intelligence sources reportedly told Ukrainian media that the plant was targeted in a joint operation<\/strong><\/a> carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine<\/strong><\/a> (SBU) and Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR).<\/p>\n Yusov neither confirmed nor denied the involvement of the SBU or HUR in his comments<\/strong><\/a> on the attack.<\/p>\n “We will not confirm or deny it. But there was a Russian production facility that is directly involved in the military-industrial complex, directing steel to the production of guns, armor and missile weapons that kill Ukrainians,” Yusov said.<\/p>\n Located approximately 400 kilometers from the Russia-Ukraine border, the plant accounts for 80% of NLMK’s steel output and contributes 18% to Russia’s total steel production.<\/p>\n Yusov called the plant “a military enterprise.”<\/p>\n “(W)e can confirm the fact that yes, this company will be out of commission for a long time,” he said.<\/p>\n Ukraine’s military intelligence has publicly claimed responsibility<\/strong><\/a> for sabotage attacks within Russian territory on previous occasions.<\/p>\n Read also:<\/b> After 2 years of Russia\u2019s full-scale war, Ukraine keeps fighting<\/a><\/p>\n We\u2019ve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent<\/a>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n