On the evening of February 7, a colossal explosion shook the Votkinsk weapons factory located in Russia’s Udmurtia region, as reported by the state-run news outlet TASS.
The Votkinsk Machine Building Plant, known for manufacturing nuclear weapons components and ballistic missiles, including the RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), witnessed the detonation that triggered a significant fire within the facility. Videos capturing the flames were reportedly shared by residents of Votkinsk on various social media platforms.
TASS, citing the dispatch service, indicated that the explosion was a result of a “scheduled test of rocket engines.” Despite the magnitude of the incident, the dispatch service characterized it as a “planned event, not an emergency.”
As of now, there is no available information regarding casualties resulting from the explosion. Votkinsk, situated approximately 50 kilometers from the regional capital of Izhevsk, is a crucial facility producing both civilian and military products. Among its notable contributions are the strategic ballistic missiles for the Topol-M and Iskander systems. The incident raises concerns about the potential impact on the production capabilities of the weapons factory and the broader implications for regional security.
