Explosions were heard in Sterlitamak, Russia, on the morning of 29 October during a drone attack. According to preliminary reports, the Bashkir Soda Company — one of Russia’s largest chemical plants, which produces components for armour-protective materials — may have been targeted. Thick smoke was observed rising above the industrial site. The attack was reported by local residents and monitoring channels. The independent publication ASTRA used geolocation to determine that the smoke was rising from the Bashkir Soda Company site.
- On 29 October, drones attacked the Russian town of Sterlitamak in Bashkortostan.
- Local residents reported explosions and smoke over the industrial area.
- ASTRA analysts have established that the smoke is rising from the site of the Bashkir Soda Company.
- At Ufa Airport, the arrival and departure of flights were temporarily restricted.
Explosions were heard in Sterlitamak during a drone attack
On the night of 29 October and the following morning, residents of Sterlitamak reported explosions and the sighting of drones over the town.
At around five o’clock in the morning local time, monitoring channels began issuing warnings about a drone threat. Shortly afterwards, photographs of thick smoke rising above the industrial part of the city appeared on social media.
An OSINT analyst at ASTRA compared the published footage with satellite imagery and determined that the source of the smoke was located on the premises of the Bashkir Soda Company.
Following the attack at Ufa Airport, temporary flight restrictions have been introduced.
What does the Bashkir Soda Company produce?
The Bashkir Soda Company is one of Russia’s largest chemical complexes. The plant is situated in Sterlitamak and is part of the «Roskhim» holding company.
The company specialises in the production of soda ash, baking soda, polyvinyl chloride, hydrochloric acid and other chemicals.
The production of terephthaloyl chloride is of particular importance. This compound is used to manufacture high-strength polymers and aramid materials, in particular Kevlar-like materials. Such materials are used in the manufacture of body armour, protective helmets and armour components for military vehicles.
According to ASTRA, the Bashkir Soda Company is the sole producer of terephthaloyl chloride in Russia and is included in the restricted register of enterprises within the Russian Federation’s defence-industrial complex.
The plant in Sterlitamak had already been attacked previously
This is not the first time that industrial sites in Sterlitamak have been targeted by drones.
On 27 August 2026, following drone strikes in the city, smoke was also observed rising above the Bashkir Soda Company’s premises. At the time, OSINT analysts identified the location of the probable strike site using photographs taken by eyewitnesses.
In April, drones attacked the Sterlitamak Petrochemical Plant, which produces components for fuels and lubricants and for other industrial sectors.
Following the morning attack on 29 October, the Russian authorities have not released any confirmed information regarding the nature of the damage sustained by the Bashkir Soda Company. It is also unknown whether the company’s production facilities were affected.
