On the morning of 18 October 2026, Russian drones once again attacked an industrial plant in the village of Manevychi in the Volyn Oblast. The strike caused fires in the storage and production facilities, and thick plumes of smoke rose above the site. Due to the heavy smoke and the wind blowing towards residential areas, the head of the Manevychi community, Oleksandr Havryliuk, urged residents of the «Tridtsiatka» neighbourhood to temporarily leave their homes. The Volyn Regional State Administration reported that the situation was complex but under control.
- On 18 October, Russian drones struck a factory in Manevychi.
- Warehouse and production premises are on fire, and there is heavy smoke.
- Residents of the «Tridtsyatka» neighbourhood have been urged to leave their homes temporarily.
- The Volyn Regional State Administration recommends closing windows and limiting time spent outdoors.
Warehouses and production facilities are on fire in Manevychi following an attack
According to a statement by the head of the Volyn Regional Military Administration Roman Romanyuk, this morning, Russian troops launched a second strike on an industrial facility in Manevychi.
A major fire has broken out on the factory premises, engulfing the warehouses and production facilities. The fire is accompanied by heavy smoke. Due to the direction of the wind, the smoke is drifting towards the village, posing an additional danger to local residents. Emergency services are on the scene. Rescue workers are continuing to deal with the aftermath of the Russian attack.
According to preliminary information from the regional authorities, there were no fatalities or injuries this morning. The extent of the damage and the area affected by the fire are currently being assessed.
Residents of «Tridtsiatka» were urged to leave their homes immediately
Due to widespread smoke, the head of the Manevychi settlement Oleksandr Havryliuk issued an urgent appeal to residents of the neighbourhood known as «Tridtsyatka».
The official urged people to leave their homes and temporarily move in with friends or acquaintances in other parts of the town. According to the head of the community, the danger is exacerbated by a northerly wind, which is helping the smoke to spread.
At the same time, the Volyn Regional State Administration advises other residents of the village to stay indoors where possible, keep windows and doors tightly closed, switch off the supply ventilation and avoid going outside unless absolutely necessary.
The recommendations issued by local and regional authorities cover a range of situations: residents of the area most affected by smoke have been urged to evacuate, whilst the rest of the population is advised to take measures to protect themselves from the smoke.
What is known about the possible ammonia leak
The situation caused further concern due to previous notification of a potential ammonia leak at the company.
On 16 October, Russian troops had already attacked an industrial facility in Manevychi. At the time, the local authorities warned of a possible leak of a hazardous chemical. However, the Volyn Regional State Administration later reported that the ammonia tank had remained intact. According to Roman Romanyuk, damage to individual pipelines did not result in a dangerous release into the atmosphere.
Experts from the Volyn Regional Centre for Disease Control and Prevention analysed air samples and found no instances where ammonia concentrations exceeded the permitted levels.
These results related to the events of 16 October. At the time of writing, no results are available from new measurements taken following the attack on 18 October.
What should residents of Manevychi do due to heavy smoke?
Local authorities are urging the public to follow official advice, as the direction in which the smoke is spreading may change depending on the wind.
Residents are advised to:
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Close the windows and doors tightly.
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Switch off the supply ventilation and any systems that draw air from outside.
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Avoid being outdoors unless absolutely necessary.
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Residents of «Tridtsiatka» must comply with the local authorities’ instructions regarding temporary relocation.
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Keep an eye on announcements from the State Emergency Service, the Volyn Regional State Administration and the Manevychi Town Council.
If you notice a strong chemical odour, severe eye irritation or difficulty breathing, you must move to a safe place as quickly as possible and seek help. If you experience symptoms of severe poisoning, call 103 or 112.
Efforts to deal with the aftermath of the attack are currently underway. The Volyn Regional State Administration describes the situation as difficult but under control.
