Russian Gunpowder Plant in Flames After Nighttime Explosion

An explosion and subsequent fire occurred at a gunpowder plant in the Tambov Oblast, Russian Federation.

The Russian regional department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations officially reported the incident.

A photo and video from the scene were published on the web.

On the night of November 11, a fire broke out at the Tambov Gunpowder Plant, which is in the city of Kotovsk, Tambov Region, Russia.

Eyewitnesses specified that an explosion was heard before inflammation in the area of the Russian defense plant.

According to Russian Telegram channels, the fire began at about 23:30 local time. Locals suggest that the explosion could have occurred in the fifth facility of the enterprise.

The cause of the fire was also confirmed in the regional department of the Ministry of Emergencies of the Russian Federation in the Tambov region. They reported that at 00:22 a flash was reported in a separate one-story brick building of the Tambov Gunpowder Plant.

The fire area was about 300 square meters, and they managed to extinguish it in an hour and a half. Currently, the causes and circumstances of the fire at the Russian powder plant are being established.

An explosion also occurred on the territory of this enterprise in June 2023. As a result, five people died and another 14 were injured.

Tambov Gunpowder Plant is one of Russia’s largest producers of gunpowder for small arms and artillery ammunition. It is part of the Rostec state corporation.

The primary activity is the production of explosives. The company produces more than 200 products, including pyroxylin powder for small arms, hand grenades and grenade launchers, artillery, and mortar ammunition.

Last year, Russian propaganda media reported that during the Russian invasion to Ukraine, the Tambov Gunpowder Plant increased production by a third. In January-July 2022, the plant increased production by 34%.