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Sanctioned Russian Defense Plant Erupts in Flames After Drone Strike in Mordovia
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A fire broke out on February 21 at the Elektrovypremitel-ZSP plant in Saransk, the capital of Russia’s Republic of Mordovia. The facility manufactures electronic components used in Russia’s defense-industrial sector and is under international sanctions.
According to the Russian Telegram channel Astra on February 21, eyewitness footage shows heavy smoke rising from the territory of the Elektrovypremitel facility.
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Astra reported that Russian emergency services confirmed the fire but did not disclose its cause. Local residents cited by Astra said the blaze occurred during the daytime, while earlier in the region authorities had warned of a potential drone threat.
Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations in Mordovia confirmed that one of the plant’s workshops caught fire, with the blaze covering approximately 150 square meters. Officials did not provide information on casualties or damage to production lines.
In Saransk, Mordovia, the Elektrovypryamitel-ZSP special converter factory is on fire. The company manufactures power electronics, rectifiers, inverters, power supplies, converters and other specialised electrical equipment. The company's products are used in industry and in the… pic.twitter.com/qa4l6f7VF1
— Exilenova+ (@Exilenova_plus) February 21, 2026
Astra, citing Russian security sources, reported that law enforcement acknowledged the fire but did not specify whether it was linked to an external attack. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that overnight air defenses allegedly intercepted 77 Ukrainian drones and 12 more in the morning; however, Mordovia was not mentioned in official summaries.
Elektrovypremitel-ZSP is described by Russian sources as one of the country’s largest manufacturers of power semiconductor devices and related equipment.
The plant produces rectifiers, inverters, power supply units, converters, and other specialized electrical components used across industry, energy, and transport sectors, including for Russia’s defense-industrial complex.
The enterprise is listed under sanctions by the United States and Australia. Other reports note that the company also appears in sanctions lists maintained by the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Japan.
Earlier on February 21, Ukrainian drone units destroyed a Russian Tornado-S system while it was firing toward Zaporizhzhia, according to Commander Robert “Madyar” Brovdi. Ukrainian officials say it is the fourth confirmed loss of a Smerch or Tornado-S system since the start of the full-scale invasion.
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