Cherkasy Azot restarts production after drone strike-induced shutdown
Photo: Ostchem

Azot PJSC (Cherkasy), part of the Ostchem nitrogen holding, has resumed the production of mineral fertilizers after a forced shutdown and has restored key production units to their planned capacities. This was reported on Wednesday, May 21, by the press service of Group DF, according to LIGA.net.

Specifically, the A-3 ammonia unit (900 tons per day) and the M-2 urea unit (1,100 tons per day) have been brought back online. The company also plans to restart the M-5 (non-concentrated nitric acid) and M-9 (ammonium nitrate) units used in the production of UAN (urea-ammonium nitrate) within the coming days.

Production was suspended three weeks ago due to a drop in gas pressure caused by a Shahed drone attack that damaged Cherkasy’s external gas infrastructure.

"Restoration work was carried out around the clock. We succeeded in restarting the facilities and restoring key production units to their planned capacities once the gas infrastructure was repaired. The company is now fully supplied with the gas needed for fertilizer production and has resumed deliveries," said Vitaliy Sklyarov, Chairman of the Board at Azot.

Ostchem’s enterprises experienced forced stoppages after drone strikes hit plant sites and destroyed external gas and electricity infrastructure in the Cherkasy and Rivne regions. These force majeure events disrupted fertilizer production and supply chains.

In response, Ostchem has updated its strategic priorities, now focusing on minimizing production risks through investments in energy independence at its facilities.

  • In 2024, the chemical plants of Dmytro Firtash’s Ostchem holding reduced fertilizer production by 13%, from 2.1 million tons to 1.8 million tons. The decline was primarily attributed to power outages.
  • However, in the first quarter of 2025, Ostchem plants increased production by 5.3% year-over-year, reaching 529,300 tons of mineral fertilizers. Of this, Cherkasy Azot produced 394,800 tons, and Rivne Azot produced 134,400 tons.
warDmitry Firtashmineral fertilizersDmitry FirtashOstchemchemical industrycherkassy Azot