**Russian Synthetic Sapphire Factory Attacked by Drones**
A plant in the Russian city of Stavropol, which produces synthetic sapphires used in various industries, was hit by drones overnight on August 12. The attack was reported by local residents and confirmed by a Russian independent news channel called Astra.
According to eyewitnesses, explosions were heard and smoke was seen rising from the area where the factory is located. Photos taken at the scene show a fire burning at the site of the attack. Earlier in the night, the governor of Stavropol Krai had issued a warning about drones in the area.
The factory, called Monocrystal, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of synthetic sapphire. This material is used in various industries such as optoelectronics, solar energy, and aerospace. Synthetic sapphires are also used in military devices, making this attack potentially significant for Russia’s defense capabilities.
Monocrystal is a subsidiary of Energomera, an electronics and manufacturing company.
**Ukraine’s Drones Strike Again**
This is not the first time Ukraine has attacked industrial or military sites in Russia using drones. In late July, Ukraine confirmed that a drone strike had hit a Signal radio plant in Stavropol Krai. Ukraine regularly uses long-range drones to attack targets in Russia as part of its efforts to degrade Moscow’s ability to wage war in Ukraine.
The fact that Ukraine rarely comments on reports of attacks on industrial facilities in Russia makes it difficult to independently verify these claims. However, the pattern of drone attacks on Russian sites is clear, and this latest incident at the synthetic sapphire factory in Stavropol adds to the evidence of Ukraine’s military strategy.
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