IZHEVSK, RUSSIA – A powerful explosion shook the suburbs of Izhevsk, a city in central Russia, on Wednesday night, according to state-run media. The blast reportedly occurred at a machine and missile production facility, the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant, located just outside the republic of Udmurtia’s capital city, some 1,000 kilometers east of Moscow.
Videos shared on social media showed a large fireball lighting up the night sky over the testing grounds of the facility. The state-run TASS news agency, citing an anonymous emergency dispatcher, reported that the explosion was part of a “planned” rocket test. It was described as a rocket engine test and not an emergency.
Local authorities in Udmurtia subsequently reassured the public through the Telegram messaging app that no emergencies were reported and no socially significant incidents occurred as a result of the explosion. The Votkinsk Machine Building Plant is part of Russia’s state space corporation and is known for producing goods for civilian use, as well as military products such as Iskander, Topol-M, and Yars missiles, and decommissioning missiles that are no longer intended for use.
The explosion raised concerns about safety protocols and the potential impact on the surrounding area, prompting further investigation into the incident. The incident has also sparked discussion about the testing and production of military equipment in civilian areas, a potential source of danger for nearby residents. The Votkinsk Machine Building Plant is expected to provide additional information on the incident as the investigation progresses.