A significant blast occurred at a munitions facility in Russia’s Udmurt Republic, known for manufacturing ballistic missiles and parts for nuclear weapons. Locals posted numerous videos of the event on social platforms. The incident unfolded at the Votkinsk weapons plant, located approximately 30 miles away from the republic’s capital, Izhevsk.
As per certain accounts, the weapons plant holds significant importance within Russia, being a key producer of essential components for the nation’s nuclear arsenal, including the RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile. The Kyiv Post noted that the Votkinsk factory is also responsible for manufacturing strategic missiles utilized in Russia’s Iskander and Topol-M systems.
Initially, the explosion was disclosed by Russia’s state-controlled news outlet Tass. They cited an announcement from an emergency services agency in the Udmurt Republic, indicating that the explosion occurred during a rocket engine test. Tass further clarified that the agency characterized the incident as a planned event rather than an emergency.
As per a report from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, experts speculate that the emergency services agency may have been misleading, considering that there was no indication of a planned test on the website of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations.
Mediazona, an independent Russian media outlet, additionally stated that shortly following the explosion, the emergency services agency released a statement asserting that the Ministry of Emergency Situations had not confirmed any significant blast. Mediazona highlighted that this message was removed ten minutes later. They observed that the ministry issued a statement half an hour later, affirming that there were no emergency or abnormal occurrences in the Udmurt Republic.
Following the explosion, a significant fire erupted at the factory, but it is uncertain whether there were any injuries or fatalities. Russia’s Defense Ministry has not addressed numerous inquiries from various media outlets regarding the incident. The majority of weapons manufactured at the Votkins factory have been utilized by the Russian armed forces during the Kremlin’s extensive invasion of Ukraine, which commenced in February 2022.
