Ukrainian drone hits one of Russia’s key chemical plants as WW3 fears escalate

Ukraine has attacked a Russian chemical plant 1,118 miles from the border, escalating fears that World War III could soon be upon us.

The drone strike targeted the Metafrax Chemicals plant in Perm Krai, a region of Russia located far beyond Moscow, yesterday evening (September 13).

Perm Krai Governor Dmitry Makhonin reported at around 9.20pm yesterday that the industrial facility in the city of Gubakha had been hit.

“The facility is operating normally. Emergency services are working at the site. There is no threat to residents’ safety," the Russian official explained.

In 2023, a new Ammonia-Urea-Melamine (AUM) production facility became operational at the Metafrax Chemicals site. Within the first eight months, the plant is said to have generated approximately 300,000 tons of ammonia. The company has since been subjected to sanctions imposed by both the UK and Ukraine.

The Metafrax Chemicals plant in Perm Krai, Russia, has been struck by a Ukrainian drone (Screenshot / Astra)

It is not the first time Ukraine has aimed at areas deep into Russian territory; in fact, the nation has frequently launched long-distance drone attacks targeting industrial and military facilities.

Just on Friday, Ukraine’s defence intelligence service is believed to have carried out a drone strike on a significant oil refinery in Russia’s Bashkortostan region, situated 930 miles from the Ukrainian border, according to intelligence reports.

News of the drone strike won't help dampen anxiety felt by Americans over a potentially imminent World War, as a recent YouGov poll found that 45 per cent of Americans think another World War is likely to occur within the next few years.

Yesterday, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to issue a 'letter to all NATO nations and the world', insisting that leaders must do what he says in order to bring Russia's invasion of Ukraine to an end.

It read: "I am ready to do major Sanctions on Russia when all NATO nations have agreed, and started, to do the same thing, and when all NATO Nations STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA.

President Donald Trump has threatened to hit Russian President Vladimir Putin with strong tariffs (Contributor/Getty Images)

"As you know, NATO’S commitment to WIN has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking! It greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia.

"Anyway, I am ready to 'go' when you are. Just say when? I believe that this, plus NATO, as a group, placing 50% to 100% TARIFFS ON CHINA, to be fully withdrawn after the WAR with Russia and Ukraine is ended, will also be of great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR."

The POTUS' letter continued: "China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful Tariffs will break that grip. This is not TRUMP’S WAR (it would never have started if I was President!), it is Biden’s and Zelenskyy’s WAR. I am only here to help stop it, and save thousands of Russian and Ukrainian lives (7,118 lives lost last week, alone. CRAZY!).

"If NATO does as I say, the WAR will end quickly, and all of those lives will be saved! If not, you are just wasting my time, and the time, energy, and money of the United States.

"Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."