Fire halts production at Yekaterinburg's Uraltransmash factory
Fire in Russia. The Uraltransmash armament factory in Yekaterinburg burned down. This is where artillery installations and other military equipment are produced. According to preliminary information, the plant's roof burned down.
Many of the reports from Russian media or government officials are elements of propaganda. Such reports are part of the informational war conducted by the Russian Federation.
Russian media reports that the fire allegedly broke out “during welding work.” As in other similar cases, they also report that “the roof of an empty workshop is burning.” The fire covered an area of approximately 420 square metres.
The plant reported that no one was injured in the incident. “The fire has already been extinguished. The plant continues its production process as usual,” reads the company's statement.
Russian independent channel Astra reports that Uraltransmash is the only enterprise in Russia producing self-propelled artillery units.
Meanwhile, the "The Moscow Times" portal reports that three people evacuated from the building before firefighters arrived.
Uraltransmash is part of the Uralvagonzavod group. It is one of the largest scientific and industrial complexes in Russia and the world's largest producer of main battle tanks.
In 2020, the company's revenues amounted to 28 billion rubles (approx. $327 million CAD). In 2022, Uralvagonzavod was subjected to additional sanctions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The company's main products are railway cars, tanks, road vehicles, agricultural vehicles such as RT-M-160, metallurgical products, tools, and consumer goods.
In July 2023, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu stated that the deliveries and repairs of T-72 and T-90 tanks by Uralvagonzavod nearly quadrupled since the beginning of 2022. In late December 2023, the company announced that it had completed this year's state defence order for T-90M tanks and modernized T-72B3M tanks.
