Powerful explosion rocks military plant in Russia's Sterlitamak - Footage
Illustrative photo: an explosion occurred at a chemical plant in Russia (Russian media)
In the city of Sterlitamak in Bashkortostan, an explosion occurred at the local Avangard chemical plant. A large fire broke out following the blast, according to the Sterlitamak Administration and Baza on Telegram.
The Sterlitamak city administration stated that the explosion occurred in one of the workshops of the Avangard plant. "All services and agencies" are already working at the site.
At the same time, information about the dead and injured is still being clarified.
Meanwhile, Baza reports that a powerful explosion occurred in the third workshop. According to unconfirmed reports, five people were injured in the incident. Three have been rescued from the rubble. One of the chemical plant’s buildings has been severely damaged.
At the same time, a large number of ambulances have arrived at the scene, and the search for people under the rubble is ongoing.
Eyewitnesses say that the city smells of gunpowder following the explosion.
Avangard plant
The Avangard chemical plant in Sterlitamak was founded in 1943, during World War II. It became one of the key enterprises producing munitions, including propellant charges for the Katyusha multiple rocket launch systems.
In the post-war years, Avangard continued its operations, specializing in the production of explosives and ammunition.
Today, Avangard is involved in dismantling ammunition, disposing of explosives, and manufacturing specialized products under the state defense order.
Incidentally, on October 17, Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil depot in Hvardiiske in temporarily occupied Crimea, where a fire is still ongoing.
