A Major Military Factory Caught Fire In Novosibirsk

The company manufactures optical sights and night vision devices.

A fire broke out at a warehouse storing plastic products in Novosibirsk on the afternoon of June 11, according to the regional office of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. According to the agency, the flames engulfed a three-story brick building at 8B Dargomyzhskogo Street. The fire spread over an area of 2,800 square meters. At the same time, it is claimed that the warehouse was being used “partially.” Local residents reported a column of black smoke visible from various parts of the city, as well as a series of explosions.

As noted by Astra, the fire broke out on the grounds of the former "Ekran" factory, where "Ekran-Optical Systems" (EOS) is currently located. This is Russia’s leading enterprise specializing in the development and production of electro-optical converters (EOCs) for night vision devices and photomultipliers (PMs). The latter are used in defense radiation monitoring systems, space reconnaissance equipment, as well as in laser rangefinders and target designators for high-precision weapons. The plant is part of the RATM Holding.

On June 8, an explosion rocked the industrial zone near Finland Station in St. Petersburg, followed by a fire. According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, a fire broke out at the Arsenal plant, which is owned by Roscosmos and manufactures products for the Russian military. Four people died as a result of the incident, reported Fontanka. Two were found inside the burned-out building, and two others were trapped under the rubble. Two people were also hospitalized with injuries of varying severity.

The fire engulfed a hangar where chemical reagents were stored. Emergency Ministry personnel battled the flames for nine hours. Train service was suspended at Finland Station due to the incident. The Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case regarding violations of safety regulations during construction or other work (Article 216 of the Criminal Code). The ignition of acetone vapors is being considered the primary cause of the incident.

The Arsenal plant manufactures satellites (including the "Lotos" radio-technical reconnaissance satellites), ship-mounted artillery and launch systems (AK-100, AK-130, AK-176MA, etc.), as well as rocket engines. The company is subject to sanctions by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.

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