INTL Powerful explosion occurs at plant in Russia that produces ballistic missiles

[marymonde]

A powerful explosion has occurred in the Udmurt Republic in Russia at a military plant.

Source: TASS; Baza; Radio Liberty

Details: Reportedly, the explosion occurred near the city of Izhevsk at the JSC Votkinsk Machine Building Plant that manufactures military and civilian products.

A large fire started at the plant after the detonation.

Kremlin-aligned media outlet TASS reported that it has allegedly learned from the dispatch service that the explosion occurred "during scheduled rocket engine tests".

For reference: The JSC Votkinsk Machine Building Plant is located 50 kilometres from Izhevsk, the capital of Russia’s Udmurt Republic. Apart from civilian products, it produces artillery missiles, including strategic ballistic missiles for the Topol-M and Iskander missile systems. At the end of 2023, the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant was granted 19 state contracts for the production of nuclear weapons components. The plant has a training ground.

 

[tanstaafl]

This is related only if you're deep into conspiracy theories (but I can't recall offhand any recent earthquakes that had a "Cape Canaveral" label):

M 4.0 - 163 km E of Cape Canaveral, Florida
2024-02-07 19:48:07 (UTC-08:00)
Location: 28.557°N 78.944°W
Depth: 10.0 km

 

[tanstaafl]

Notes from 2021 that may (or may not) be relevant to my post above (this is thread drift so I hope someone quickly brings it back to the Russian explosion):

2021-08-08 12:55:17 (UTC-07:00)
3.9 magnitude
Experimental Explosion 166 km ENE of Beverly Beach, Florida

2021-07-16 10:48:33 (UTC-07:00) (Friday)
3.9 magnitude
Experimental Explosion - 187 km ENE of Flagler Beach, Florida

2021-06-18 12:48:39 (UTC-07:00) (Friday)
3.9 magnitude
Experimental Explosion - 170 km ENE of Ponce Inlet, Florida

"A military experimental explosion off the coast of Florida registered as a 3.9 magnitude shock on the United States Geological Survey's website Friday evening. First Coast News has learned the Navy is conducting shock trials in the area, similar to a 2016 explosion that triggered concerns of an earthquake."

 

[Groucho]

With all the new "visitors" we have in this country, expect the same here.

 

[Wildweasel]

A powerful explosion has occurred in the Udmurt Republic in Russia at a military plant.

Source: TASS; Baza; Radio Liberty

Details: Reportedly, the explosion occurred near the city of Izhevsk at the JSC Votkinsk Machine Building Plant that manufactures military and civilian products.

A large fire started at the plant after the detonation.

Kremlin-aligned media outlet TASS reported that it has allegedly learned from the dispatch service that the explosion occurred "during scheduled rocket engine tests".

For reference: The JSC Votkinsk Machine Building Plant is located 50 kilometres from Izhevsk, the capital of Russia’s Udmurt Republic. Apart from civilian products, it produces artillery missiles, including strategic ballistic missiles for the Topol-M and Iskander missile systems. At the end of 2023, the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant was granted 19 state contracts for the production of nuclear weapons components. The plant has a training ground.

Both solid-fueled missiles. I'm guessing they were filled with propellant at the plant, meaning solid fuel material was on site.

Remember back to the Pepcon explosions outside Las Vegas where solid rocket fuel was produced? It could be a repeat of that accident.

Pepcon explosion clip. 26 seconds