Artillery Shell Factory Catches Fire in Russia’s Orsk

A fire broke out on July 11 at a Russian plant that manufactures artillery shells in the city of Orsk, the Orenburg region, local media reported.

According to Astra, the fire occurred on the premises of JSC “Mechanical Plant,” located at 4, Prospekt Mira.

Residents posted images and videos of the incident on local forums.

Emergency services said the blaze had started inside the facility’s painting and dyeing workshop, where solvent and paint had ignited.

The fire was extinguished by 20 firefighters and eight units of specialized equipment. Authorities are investigating the cause.

According to the company’s brochure, the Orsk facility produces more than 50% of artillery shells of certain calibers manufactured in Russia.

It also supplies components for multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), widely used by Russian forces in the war against Ukraine.

In 2022, local media reported the factory had doubled production of 122 mm steel artillery shells for D-30 howitzers.

On July 11, Russia reported that a drone had crashed on the territory of an aircraft factory in Taganrog, the Rostov region.

The facility, PJSC TANTK named after G.M. Beriev, specializes in amphibious aircraft and long-range airborne early warning systems such as the A-50 and the Tu-95MSM strategic bombers.

Earlier in the day, other drones reportedly targeted defense industry facilities in Tula.