Anna Hartz
Deadly Blast Hits Ammunition Factory in Ryazan
Explosions at weapons factories are not new in Russia. They happen often in a country where military plants are running at full speed to supply the war in Ukraine.
Safety rules are frequently ignored, and accidents have become part of the grim background of daily life. The latest tragedy struck on Friday.
Safety Standards
Russian officials confirmed on Saturday that an explosion at a munitions factory in the Ryazan region killed at least 11 people and injured 130 others, reports Ziare.
The blast tore through the Elastik factory, which is located about 60 kilometers from the regional capital, Ryazan.
The factory is known for producing ammunition and explosives.
Authorities said the cause of the explosion was a failure to follow safety standards.
They also insisted that the incident was not connected to Ukrainian drone attacks, which have regularly targeted Russian military facilities.
Instead, investigators pointed to human error and neglected precautions as the reasons for the disaster.
Not the First Tragedy
Local media reported that the factory was heavily damaged. Emergency crews worked through the night to put out fires and rescue those trapped inside.
Many of the injured were taken to hospitals in the region, and doctors warned that the number of victims could rise.
This is not the first time the Elastik plant has been hit by tragedy. In 2021, an explosion at the same site killed 17 workers.
That accident was also linked to poor safety practices. The repeated disasters have raised questions about the conditions under which Russian workers are operating as the demand for weapons and ammunition grows.
Enormous Risks
Explosions like this one are becoming more common across Russia’s defense industry. Factories are running day and night to meet military needs.
Experts say this pressure often leads managers to cut corners on basic safety. For the workers inside, the risks are enormous.
The Ryazan explosion is one more reminder of the cost of neglecting safety. Families have lost loved ones, dozens remain in hospitals, and the factory lies in ruins once again.
For many, the tragedy feels like a predictable outcome in a system where speed and production are valued above human life.
