Fire at Russian weapons factory halts production temporarily
Fire in Russia. The Uraltransmash armament factory in Yekaterinburg burned down. This is where artillery installations and other military equipment are produced. According to preliminary information, the fire damaged the plant's roof.
9:14 AM EDT, July 18, 2024
Many reports from Russian media or government officials are elements of propaganda. Such reports are part of the informational war conducted by the Russian Federation.
Russian media reports that the fire allegedly broke out "during welding work." As in other similar cases, they also report that "the roof of an empty workshop is burning." The fire covered an area of 4,520 square feet.
The plant reported that no one was injured in the incident. "The fire has already been extinguished. The plant continues its production process as usual," reads the company's statement.
Russian independent channel Astra reports that Uraltransmash is the only enterprise in Russia producing self-propelled artillery units.
Meanwhile, the "The Moscow Times" portal reports that three people evacuated from the building before firefighters arrived.
Uraltransmash is part of the Uralvagonzavod group. It is one of Russia's most significant scientific and industrial complexes and the world's largest producer of main battle tanks.
In 2020 the company's revenues amounted to 28 billion rubles (approximately $327 million). In 2022, Uralvagonzavod was subjected to additional sanctions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The company's main products are railway cars, tanks, road vehicles, agricultural vehicles such as the RT-M-160, metallurgical products, tools, and consumer goods.
In July 2023, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated that Uralvagonzavod's deliveries and repairs of T-72 and T-90 tanks had nearly quadrupled since the beginning of 2022. In late December 2023, the company announced that it had completed this year's state defense order for T-90M tanks and modernized T-72B3M tanks.
