In Russia, an explosion occurs at the plant where Iskander missiles are produced

5 August, 2023 Iskander-M SRBM of the Russian Armed Forces. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Russia An explosion has blasted out at the plant in the Russian Federation where Iskander missiles are produced.

The explosion occurred on Friday afternoon, August 4, in one of the workshops of the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant in Udmurtia. Local Telegram channels reported on this. The incident happened at 11:30 local time.

Initially, information appeared on local social networks about an alleged drone attack on a military enterprise, but this version was not confirmed. Initially, it was reported that the explosion blasted out in workshop No 95 of the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant.

Votkinsk Machine Building Plant. Photo from open sources

The explosion reportedly damaged one of the buildings in which missiles were assembled for the Iskander-M SRBM, which the Russians use to launch strikes on Ukraine.

Later, as it turned out, the "product" in the armored capsule exploded during the tests. The building of the enterprise workshop was not ruined, but sustained damages. According to the reports, none of the workers have serious injuries.

In the press service of the plant, the explosion was called "the operation of the equipment", which was accompanied by "pops and smoke". And they assured that none of the employees of the enterprise were injured, and that the plant was working normally. The data from open sources indicate that the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant has been producing missiles for the Iskander-M complex since 2006.

Iskander-M SRBM of the Russian Armed Forces.

Photo from open sources

Iskander is a Russian short-range ballistic missile system developed by KB Mashinostroyeniya state defense enterprise. The system is designed to destroy strategically important objects. This tactical system carries and launches the same-named Iskander ballistic missiles with a maximum firing range of 500 km, as well as P-500 (9?728) cruise missiles also with a launch range of up to 500 kilometers.

The system can also use the 9M729 cruise missile with a launch range of over 500 km.

The weapons supported by this system also include missiles with a nuclear warhead.