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Explosions, Fire Rock Major Russian Munitions Plant

(Article text ©2021 RFE/RL, Inc., Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty - rferl.org - Nov. 27, 2021 - article text also appeared at rferl.org/a/russia-dzerzhinsk-munitions-plant-explosions/31582423.html)

A large munitions factory in the Russian city of Dzerzhinsk was rocked by several explosions on November 27.

The Emergency Situations Ministry reported that two workers were injured in the explosions.

A fire ignited by the blasts was later extinguished.

Officials said there was no danger to local residents.

Acting Emergency Situations Minister Aleksandr Chupriyan was at the site, having traveled to Dzerzhinsk from Kemerovo Oblast where he was overseeing rescue efforts from a November 25 coal-mine explosion there.

Officials said 88 workers were successfully evacuated from the area of the explosions.

A criminal investigation into the incident was opened.

The plant was struck by a series of massive explosions on June 1, 2019, injuring dozens of workers. That incident followed an earlier explosion in April 2019.

According to the factory’s website, it is the largest defense-industry plant in Russia. Munitions account for about 30 percent of its output, the rest comprising mostly industrial explosives and chemical products.

In August 2018, six workers were killed in an explosion and fire at the plant, while in July 2020, three workers were hospitalized following a chemical leak.

With reporting by Interfax

Key Words: Russia, Munitions Plant Explosions, Russian Military, Dzerzhinsk