Novocherkasskaya TPP attacked again in Rostov Region: a large-scale fire broke out at the plant
On the night of 12 January, explosions were heard in Novocherkassk, Rostov region, Russia, and a large-scale fire was reported. According to Russian telegram channels and local residents, the Novocherkasskaya GRES, one of the largest thermal power plants in southern Russia, could have come under a second drone attack.
Eyewitnesses posted videos with a red roar in the sky and the distinctive sounds of drones flying. Local residents reported the operation of air defences and at least two downed drones. After that, a massive fire broke out in the area of the power plant, which was visible from different parts of the city.
Novocherkasskaya TPP is located in Rostov region and is a key energy facility in the region. The plant has an installed electrical capacity of around 2,250 megawatts. The complex consists of nine power units, with coal as the main fuel and natural gas as an additional fuel. Water is taken from the Don River and electricity is supplied at 220 and 330 kilovolts.
This is not the first attack on the plant. According to open sources, Novocherkasskaya TPP was hit in March 2024, July 2025, and 9 January 2026. After the previous attacks, several power units were reported to be out of commission and significant infrastructure damage was reported, which the Russian authorities did not officially recognise immediately.
On the morning of 12 January, Rostov Region officials refrained from commenting on the fire at the power plant. At the same time, the Russian Ministry of Defence claimed to have shot down 13 drones overnight, including four over the Rostov region, without specifying the targets that may have been hit.
