Explosions Rip Through Key Russian Arms Plant in Chelyabinsk 1,800 km From Ukraine

A powerful series of explosions rocked the Russian city of Chelyabinsk, according to reports from Russian media outlet Astra on October 22.

The blasts occurred shortly before midnight local time in the city’s Leninsky district and neighboring Kopeysk area. Eyewitnesses reported dense black smoke rising over the city.

While officials initially provided no details on casualties or damage, the governor of the Chelyabinsk region, Alexey Teksler, later confirmed that there were fatalities as a result of the incident.

“There are casualties following an explosion at one of Kopeysk’s enterprises,” Teksler said, adding that emergency services and response teams were on-site and that there was “no threat to civilians or residential areas.”

According to Astra, the explosions occurred near the Plastmass military plant on the outskirts of Chelyabinsk. The facility reportedly produces ammunition for artillery systems, tanks, and naval guns, ranging in caliber from 76mm to 152mm.

Pro-Russian Telegram channels, including Shot, claimed that the Chelyabinsk region came under a drone attack, alleging that Russian air defenses were engaged at the time of the blasts.

The plant, located roughly 1,800 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, is one of Russia’s key producers of conventional artillery munitions.

Earlier, Ukrainian drones struck deep inside Russia, hitting two key industrial targets: a defense-linked mechanical plant in Mordovia and a major oil complex in Dagestan.

Support our frontline reporters

We report from the front lines to show the reality of war. Your support helps us stay there and tell the stories that matter.

DONATE NOW