Russia-Ukraine war live: western leaders visit Kyiv in solidarity on second anniversary of Russian invasion

Drone suspected after blaze at Russian steel plant, governor says

A fire broke out and was extinguished at Russian steelmaker NLMK’s main plant, the regional governor said on Saturday, the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Preliminary data indicated the fire at the Novolipetsk Steel plant was caused by a drone, the Lipetsk regional governor, Igor Artamonov, said on Telegram, without mentioning Ukraine, Reuters reports.

There were no casualties, Artamonov said.

A video posted on social media showed an explosion, with a large orange flame illuminating the nighttime sky.

The plant, NLMK’s key production site, is about 400km (250 miles) from the Russia-Ukraine border. It specialises in flat steel products, making 80% of NLMK’s steel products and 18% of Russian steel.

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