0 out of 25,000

Quality journalism takes work — and a community that cares.
Help us reach 25,000 members by the end of 2025.

News Feed

Explosion reported at Russian explosives factory

2 min read
Explosion reported at Russian explosives factory
A pillar of smoke purportedly rises above the Ural military plant in Solikamsk in Russia’s Perm Krai following an alleged explosion at the plant on Oct. 31, 2023. The Kyiv Independent couldn’t verify the veracity or location of the photo. (Baza/Telegram)

An explosion occurred at one of Russia's largest military plants in the Perm Krai, Russian state-run news agency RIA Novosti reported on Oct. 31, citing emergency services.

The Ural factory, located in the town of Solikamsk, produces explosives for ammunition and small arms, among other things.

There were allegedly no people on the plant's territory at the time of the explosion, and the facility renewed its work shortly after, the enterprise's spokesperson told RIA Novosti.

The regional authorities said, as cited by RIA Novosti, that the explosions posed no threat to the civilian population of Solikamsk.

Southern counteroffensive runs out of steam as West scrambles to deliver aid

Meanwhile, Russian Telegram channel Baza cited Solikamsk residents saying that a pillar of smoke was seen over the plant and windows were shattered in some houses.

These claims couldn't be independently verified.

The Ural factory belongs to the Russian state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec, which ​​has been sanctioned by Ukraine, the U.K., the EU, the U.S., Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.

Solikamsk lies in western Russia, some 2,000 kilometers from the border with Ukraine.

Since the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, partisans have targeted military, logistics, and infrastructure sites inside Russia.

Clooney Foundation for Justice brings alleged Russian crimes to German prosecutors
News Feed
 (Updated:  )Company news

The Kyiv Independent’s separate analytical unit, KI Insights, is excited to announce the launch of its podcast, Ukraine Insights — a show dedicated to unpacking Ukraine’s politics, security, economy, and international relations through in-depth, expert-driven conversations.

Video

Ukraine is facing its biggest wartime corruption scandal. The Kyiv Independent’s Dominic Culverwell explains how Energoatom — Ukraine's nuclear energy operator — became a breeding ground for corruption during the war, how a $100 million kickback scheme in the nuclear energy sector reached the highest levels of power, and what this crisis means for President Volodymyr Zelensky and the country.

Show More