Ukrainian drones struck the Monocrystal synthetic sapphire plant in Russia’s Stavropol early on Tuesday, the Russian Telegram channel Astra reported, saying it had geolocated video of the attack. The Ukrainian Telegram channel Exelinova+ also said the facility had been hit.
Footage taken by eyewitnesses shows smoke rising in front of the plant’s main building.
Authorities in Stavropol have not officially confirmed the strike. Mayor Ivan Ulyanchenko said that a drone attack in the city shattered windows in a residential complex and an unspecified public facility, and damaged several cars. He said no one was injured.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said that overnight, air defenses intercepted and destroyed 25 Ukrainian drones, including three over Stavropol Krai.
Monocrystal is one of the world’s leading producers of synthetic sapphire for the optoelectronics industry. Sapphire is widely used in the manufacture of optical components for sights, thermal imagers, and laser systems. Sapphire radomes are also used in missiles and drones.