On the night of July 21, residents of the Russian city of Lipetsk reported explosions and a fire in the city’s industrial area. According to an OSINT analysis by ASTRA, the fire broke out in the area between Lipetsk Thermal Power Plant No. 2 and the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant.
A missile alert had been declared in the Lipetsk region earlier in the evening. Eyewitnesses later published footage of explosions and a large fire.
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Никто не понимает, что Там Так горит…. pic.twitter.com/vipUn6SKjd
After analysing the videos, ASTRA reported that the fire was located near the local thermal power plant and the NLMK facility. It remains unknown what exactly was attacked and which facility is burning.
Lipetsk Region Governor Igor Artamonov said the fire broke out in an open area on the premises of industrial facilities on Peredелcheskaya Street.
According to him, the fire covered an area of about 2,500 square metres. Additional fire and rescue units were sent to the scene, and all emergency services are working there. Information about the cause of the fire and possible casualties is being clarified.
The Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant is Russia’s largest steelmaking enterprise and produces about 20% of the country’s steel. Russian media claim that the plant manufactures civilian products, but NLMK steel is also purchased by companies specialising in missile production.
The company has stated that it has never supplied military products to Russia’s military-industrial complex. According to ASTRA, Ukrainian intelligence services consider the plant a legitimate target because of its links to the defence industry.
Lipetsk Thermal Power Plant No. 2 is one of the largest thermal power plants in Russia’s Central Black Earth Region. It supplies heat to Lipetsk and several industrial enterprises in the area.
