Free Republic

A massive explosion occurred at the Votkinsk weapons factory in Russia's Udmurtia region the evening of Feb. 7, according to the state-run news outlet TASS. The Votkinsk Machine Building Plant produces nuclear weapons components and ballistic missiles, including the RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The detonation caused a large fire to break out at the factory. Residents of Votkinsk reportedly shared videos of the fire on social media. TASS said that the dispatch service claimed the explosion resulted from "a scheduled test of rocket engines." The dispatch service reportedly called the explosion "a planned event, not an emergency." No...