2025 Plastmass Factory explosion
A CCTV still of the explosion | |
| Date | 22 October 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | c.22:30 (YEKT) |
| Venue | Plastmass Factory |
| Location | Kopeysk, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia |
| Coordinates | 55°07′29″N 61°34′03″E / 55.124765°N 61.5675°E |
| Type | Explosion |
| Cause | Under investigation |
| Filmed by | Closed-circuit television cameras |
| Deaths | 23 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 19 |
On 22 October 2025, an explosion and fire occurred at the Plastmass Factory in Kopeysk, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia, killing 23 people.[1]
Background
The Plastmass Factory is located in Kopeysk in the Chelyabinsk region and is owned by Technodinamika, itself a holding company within the Rostec state corporation. The factory produces larger caliber munitions from 76 to 152 mm, Russian artillery shell calibers used by the Russian Army in the Russo-Ukrainian war.[2][3]
Explosion
On 22 October 2025 at around 22:30 one and then at around midnight a second explosion occurred. Local residents reportedly testified that at least 3 drones attacked the factory.[4] Investigative outlet ASTRA reported that Russia's Investigative Committee opened a criminal case into 'alleged violations of industrial safety rules at a hazardous facility resulting in multiple deaths" – stating the blast was caused by breaches of safety during a technological process in a workshop.[2]
Governor Aleksey Teksler stated that the cause of the explosion was not related to a drone attack.[1][5] He also noted that the fire had been extinguished by the morning of 23 October but that there were still 10 people unaccounted for.[1]
Later on 29 October 2025 Teksler announced that 23 people had died in the explosion.[6]
Reaction
Hundreds of residents gathered at Kopeysk central square to pay tribute to the victims and demanded news about the missing workers. They forced the head of a local labor union to read out the names of the 12 employees whose deaths have been confirmed. Governor Teksler was later seen laying flowers at a makeshift memorial, while Plastmass CEO Alexander Balashovtold residents, "It's hard to understand" how the tragedy occurred.[5]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Russia: Ten dead in blast at munitions plant in Urals". www.bbc.com. 23 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ a b Kramer, Korbinian Leo (22 October 2025). "Explosion in Russian Military Ammunition Factory Kills 10, Injures 18". Kyiv Post.
- ^ LITNAROVYCH, VLAD (22 October 2025). "Explosions Rip Through Key Russian Arms Plant in Chelyabinsk 1,800 km From Ukraine". United24 Media. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
- ^ "Explosions And A Fire Broke Out At A Military Plant In Russia's Chelyabinsk Region". Charter 97. 23 October 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Explosions and Drone Strikes Hit Russian Regions, Killing 12". The Moscow Times. 24 October 2025. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
- ^ "Death toll nearly doubles in explosion at Russian military plant last week, local authorities say". Reuters. 29 October 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.