Explosion at Russian arms factory kills 11, Dozens injured

Saturday 16 August 2025 - 10:55

At least 11 people were killed and 130 injured following an explosion at an arms factory in the Riazan region of Russia on Friday, local authorities reported. Emergency services continue to work on site, with more than 360 rescuers involved in the operations.

According to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, two additional bodies were discovered during searches through the debris, bringing the death toll to 11. Local media reported that the blast occurred in a workshop containing explosives at the Elastik plant, about 60 kilometers from the regional capital, Riazan. The factory produces explosives and ammunition, and had experienced a similar deadly accident in 2021 that killed 17 people.

Public conglomerate Rostec said it was assisting with the evacuation of the injured by helicopter. While Ukraine has previously targeted military sites in Russia with drones, authorities have not suggested this was a factor in the current incident. The Russian Investigative Committee has launched a probe into “violations” of safety regulations at industrial facilities.

Accidental explosions and fires are common in Russia due to aging infrastructure and frequent safety breaches. Since the start of the large-scale conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, the country has intensified industrial efforts to produce weapons and military equipment.