News Feed

Russian media: Massive explosion occurs at weapons factory

1 min read
Russian media: Massive explosion occurs at weapons factory
A vehicle transports an RS-24 Yars strategic nuclear missile along a street during a Victory Day rehearsal in Moscow, Russia, on June 17, 2020. (Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg)

A massive explosion occurred at the Votkinsk weapons factory in Russia's Udmurtia region the evening of Feb. 7, according to  the state-run news outlet TASS.  

The Votkinsk Machine Building Plant produces nuclear weapons components and ballistic missiles, including the RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

The detonation caused a large fire to break out at the factory. Residents of Votkinsk reportedly shared videos of the fire on social media.

TASS said that the dispatch service claimed the explosion resulted from "a scheduled test of rocket engines."

The dispatch service reportedly called the explosion "a planned event, not an emergency."

No information has been released about casualties from the blast.

Votkinsk lies about 50 kilometers from the regional capital of Izhevsk. The weapons factory produces civilian and military products, including strategic ballistic missiles for the Topol-M and Iskander systems.

‘My hatred only grows:’ Kyiv residents lament over their homes destroyed by Russian attack
On Feb. 7, Russia launched its latest large-scale attack against Ukraine, targeting Kyiv and other oblasts. At least five people were killed and dozens were wounded.
Article image
Avatar
Abbey Fenbert

Senior News Editor

Abbey Fenbert is a senior news editor at the Kyiv Independent. She is a freelance writer, editor, and playwright with an MFA from Boston University. Abbey served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine from 2008-2011.

Read more
News Feed

"It is legitimate and lawful for China to conduct normal economic, trade and energy cooperation with all countries around the world, including Russia," China's Foreign Ministry said in response to question about Russian oil purchases posed by Bloomberg. "We will continue to adopt reasonable energy security measures in accordance with our national interests."

"The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska," Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that "further details will follow."

Video

At the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, foreigners flocked to Ukraine to join its defense against Russian forces. More than three years later, the foreign fighters who remain are a different breed — driven by a deep commitment to Ukraine.

Show More