Dzerzhinsk remains a hub for chemical production

Dzerzhinsk, a secret Russian city, was crucial to the Soviet Union's chemical weapons program. It produced deadly agents like mustard gas and nerve agents from 1941 until 1965, remaining off-limits to outsiders during the Soviet era. Although many factories have closed, chemical production continues. In 2012, about 25% of residents worked in the industry. The city has significant pollution issues, with contamination from hazardous materials affecting groundwater and soil. In 2024, Ukrainian drones targeted the Sverdlov Plant in Dzerzhinsk, which still produces military and industrial materials. The extent of the damage from the attack remains unclear.