On February 24, 2024, a fire erupted in one of the workshops at the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant (NLMK) in Lipetsk, Russia. Governor Igor Artamonov assured the public that the fire had been extinguished with no reported casualties and no imminent threat of hazardous substance release. Initial reports suggested a possible drone crash as the cause, a claim supported by the Ministry of Defense, which reported intercepting two drones over the Lipetsk region. The governor emphasized that intelligence services were investigating the drone-related information and video footage circulating on social networks, urging residents to avoid panic. With neighboring regions reporting similar incidents, all special services in the region have been placed on high alert.